Since 2013, and thanks to the transition to the use of natural gas, the economy has saved NIS 180 billion.
This emerges from data presented in the Knesset by the Ministry of Energy.
According to the data, about NIS 51 billion was saved for the economy in the form of a reduction in the cost of energy production for electricity and industry, and another NIS 130 billion was saved as a result of a reduction in air pollution resulting from a decrease in coal and fuel oil use.
By 2025, the conversion of coal-fired power plants to natural gas should be complete - a move that will add another 4 billion cubic meters (BCM) per year to natural gas consumption for the 2020 season.
In 2020, natural gas consumption in Israel amounted to 14.3 BCM, compared with only 1.2 in 2004 and 2.6 BCM in 2012. More than 80% of gas consumption was directed to the electricity sector, and the rest to industry.
Between 2019 and 2020, the total supply of natural gas to the economy jumped by 43%.
The volume of exports, which stood at 0 in 2016, amounted to 4.25 BCM last year.
The total existing export contracts amount to 140 BCM - to Jordan and Egypt.
Currently, four hospitals and eight IDF camps are connected to the natural gas network, and many more are expected to join them in the coming years, with a total consumption potential of 160 BCM per year.
According to the Ministry of Energy's forecast, by 2045, natural gas consumption for the electricity sector will increase by 150% to about 24 BCM, compared to less than 10 BCM today.
This shows that despite the strong desire to switch to "green" energies (solar and wind), which are currently considered less stable than fossil fuels, natural gas will continue to serve as a major energy source.
If by 2045 Israel relies on 60% of used and smeared energy production, the general demand for natural gas will be about 40 BCM - almost twice the current consumption.
If it is 80% used and smeared, the natural gas consumption will be 35 BCM.
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