Electricity in Israel in 2022

In 2022, Israel's electricity consumption heavily relied on fossil fuels, with over 90% of its electricity generated from such sources. Natural gas was responsible for more than two-thirds of the electricity supply, while coal contributed a bit more than a fifth. On the cleaner side, low-carbon energy sources played a smaller role, accounting for just under 10% of the electricity generation. Within this category, solar energy was the predominant source, contributing nearly all of the low-carbon electricity at approximately 9.7%. The reliance on fossil fuels poses significant environmental challenges, including climate change and air pollution, underscoring the need for Israel to expand its clean energy portfolio.

Suggestions

To effectively boost low-carbon electricity generation, Israel can take cues from several countries excelling in this area. Considering the similarities in size and resource availability, Israel might look towards Greece and Chile, which have successfully integrated solar energy, with solar contributing 22% in both countries. Additionally, leveraging nuclear energy could significantly elevate Israel's clean electricity share. Countries like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine have achieved remarkable success, with nuclear energy providing between 55% and 68% of their electricity. By investing in a combination of solar, wind, and nuclear energy, Israel can diversify its clean electricity sources and work towards significant reductions in fossil fuel dependency.

History

The journey of low-carbon electricity in Israel has made moderate strides over the past decade. Starting in 2010, solar energy began making noticeable contributions, steadily increasing each year. Particularly from 2019 to 2022, solar electricity saw significant growth, with increments of 1 TWh in 2019, 1.6 TWh in 2020, 1.2 TWh in 2021, and a notable 2 TWh in 2022. Meanwhile, wind energy showed a slight advancement in 2017 but faced a small dip in 2020. Despite these developments, overall growth in low-carbon electricity has been relatively gradual, highlighting the necessity for accelerated efforts and strategic initiatives to expand such clean energy technologies in the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources