Electricity in Israel in 2023
As of 2023, Israel's electricity landscape is primarily dominated by fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity originating from gas and coal sources. Gas alone contributes more than two-thirds of the electricity, while coal accounts for almost a fifth, reflecting a continued reliance on fossil energy. Low-carbon sources such as solar power make up just over a tenth of electricity consumption, with solar energy making a noteworthy contribution, but still falling short of its potential. With only close to a tenth coming from clean energy, Israel has considerable room to expand its low-carbon efforts to meet modern environmental standards and contribute to global clean energy goals.
Is Electricity Growing in Israel?
In terms of electricity growth in Israel, the recent data suggests a concerning trend. Total electricity consumption has decreased from its peak in 2019, with each person using roughly 8,039 kWh in 2023, marking a decline of about 273 kWh/person. On the positive side, low-carbon electricity generation has shown a promising increase, achieving a new record of 845 kWh/person, up by 208 kWh/person since the previous high in 2022. While this growth in low-carbon sources is encouraging, the overall decrease in electricity consumption is worrisome as it indicates a potential shortfall in meeting future demands driven by technological advancements and electrification efforts.
Suggestions
Israel can learn valuable lessons from successful regions to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation. Countries like France and Slovakia have achieved significant levels of nuclear energy integration, showing that nuclear power is a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy. Furthermore, the solar achievements of regions like Lebanon and Nevada illustrate the potential of solar energy in similar climates, offering Israel a model to significantly increase its solar capacity. By incorporating strategies that successfully utilize both nuclear and solar power, Israel can make substantial strides toward a more sustainable and reliable electricity future, reducing its dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating associated environmental impacts.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Israel over the past decades illustrates a gradual but steady commitment to expanding solar power. Beginning in the early 2010s with modest increases, solar energy experienced stronger growth after 2014, with annual gains gradually rising. From 2019 onwards, solar advancements picked up pace significantly, culminating in a remarkable increase in 2023. Wind energy showed small, yet consistent gains, starting in 2017 and continuing with a notable addition in 2023. Despite these efforts, the low-carbon sector remains a small part of Israel's electricity profile, underscoring the need for further developments in clean energy options to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.