Israel is on track to meet its goal of, by 2030, producing a third of its electricity through renewable sources, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen told the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee on Monday.
By 2024’s end, just 14.7% of Israel’s electricity used renewable sources.
“Electricity production from renewable energy is an economic growth engine for Israel, increasing our energy sources, strengthening energy independence, and improving the health of Israeli citizens,” Cohen said.
The government has begun preparing to increase Israel's targets for 2035 to between 35% and 45%.
To meet the 2030 target, Israel’s installed renewable energy capacity needs to reach 16,000 megawatts, increased from 7,500.
To accelerate the transition to clean energy and strengthen energy security, the ministry’s director-general Yossi Dayan has outlined several measures to take in cooperation with the Electricy Authority.
Accelerating transition to clean energy
These include new regulations requiring certain panels that combine agricultural and solar power on rooftops of new private houses, introducing a dedicated campaign and website to promote rooftop solar installations, and nationwide tenders for large-scale solar projects in the Negev and Golan Heights.
Dayan argued that renewable energy serves as an economic, security and technological growth engine, stressing how investments in production, storage, and transmission infrastructure can reduce Israel’s dependence on imported fuels.
Systemic challenges remain, however, Dayan iterated.
These include connecting facilities to the power grid, streamlining planning processes, land-use issues, and expanding the combination of agricultural and solar power. Working groups have been established to tackle these problems.
“The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry continues to work with all stakeholders in government, the Knesset, local authorities, and the business sector to advance a smart, clean, and modern energy economy,” Dayan added.
“Strengthening domestic production, integrating renewable and storage technologies, and expanding private-sector cooperation are key to ensuring Israel’s energy independence for the benefit of its citizens today and in the future,” he concluded.
In August 2024, Israel’s Energy Ministry presented a plan for reaching net zero emissions in the energy market by 2050.