This is how the International Energy Agency states: • It is second place in the world in electricity generation from the sun • Energy Minister Steinitz: "The goal - first place in the world"
Solar roof in the Knesset
Photo:
Oren Ben Hakun
The International Energy Agency's (IEA) report states: Israel ranks first among the OECD countries, and second in the world as a percentage of solar energy production potential. It stands immediately behind Honduras with 14.8%. After Israel, Germany stands with 8.6%, Chile with 8.5%, followed by Australia and Greece with 8.1%.
The data reflects the extensive activity of the Ministry of Energy in recent years to increase the use of solar energy for electricity generation, to encourage the economy to install solar panels on roofs as well as to remove barriers to the promotion of the field in accordance with the ambitious goals set by Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, according to which the sun will become the main and significant factor in energy production Israel.
This is the first time that Israel has entered the list of 20 countries in the world that have high PV (photovoltaic) power potential for the next five years, with installation expectations in an intermediate scenario of 5.9 gigawatt and 8 gigawatt in the optimistic scenario.
According to the report, in the next few years a significant reduction in solar installation production costs is expected, which means that already in 2019 global solar installations tenders have dropped to prices lower than 2 cents per kWh (kWh).
As published in Israel Today, early last month, Minister Steinitz decided that the government target for electricity generation from renewable energy for 2030 would rise from 17% to 30%, indicating that the ambition was to double the amount of electricity generation. The doubling will mainly come from renewable energy sources and especially from the sun.
According to Steinitz, "When I took office in 2015, Israel was established in one of the last places in the field of solar power generation, and many have argued that we have no chance of meeting the goals we set ourselves." I am very proud that in a few years we will be the first place to use solar energy - of all countries The OECD - and the second place in the world. "
The minister added: "About a month ago, I announced an increase in the electricity generation target to 30% of the sun's energy in 10 years. This means that by noon we will reach 100% of the sun's electricity, so that we will also save some of it for the evening hours. For the first place in solar energy in the entire world. "
"Challenging target, but possible"
Steinitz said that this ambitious goal was not set by chance. "For a whole year, the Electricity Authority and the Ministry of Energy sat down for a thorough examination of the following questions: Is the target technologically feasible? What is the amount of storage required? What is the economic cost and can it be done without an increase in electricity prices? What are the environmental gains? Are there enough areas to carry out the task? Changes required in the national electricity transmission network?
"Only after a year of research and consultations with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Environment, the Electric Company and the Administrator and International Factors, was the work completed and it was determined that the target was very challenging - but possible."
And what's the next destination? According to Steinitz, "The current achievement, which brings Israel to the forefront of the world in solar power generation, demonstrates that when operating with vision and determination, but without populism, challenging goals can be achieved while maintaining energy security and reasonable electricity prices. The next target is not solar electricity first. Only among the developed countries but the whole world. "
