Electricity in Israel in 2021

In 2021, Israel's electricity consumption was overwhelmingly reliant on fossil energy sources, accounting for more than 90% of the energy mix. The leading sources of fossil energy were gas, amounting to over 65%, and coal, contributing close to 30%. Low-carbon energy sources, more environmentally-friendly alternatives, made up less than 7% of energy consumption, with solar energy being the most significant contributor among them at about 6%.

Suggestions

Israel can take cues from several countries to increase its low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear energy, for example, forms a substantial part of the energy mix in countries like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, providing more than half of their electricity. While Israel's geographical area may limit the potential for wind power to the extent seen in Denmark, an almost 60% wind contribution to electricity, solar energy could be significantly expanded given its sunny climate and advancements in technology. This approach would align with countries like Greece, Australia, and Chile, where solar energy contributes up to 19% to electricity generation.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Israel extends back to 2010 with the first records of electricity generated from solar power. While the initial increases in solar electricity generation were relatively modest, showing incremental growth from 2011 to 2016, a noteworthy increase occurred towards the last years of the decade. Particularly between 2018 and 2021, solar electricity generation almost tripled. In comparison, wind energy has seen far less growth, only making a notable appearance in 2017, and remaining relatively stagnant since then. However, it should be noted that the decline in 2020 does not significantly detract from the overall progress.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources