Government ministries have already begun drafting higher benchmarks for 2035, aiming for figures between 35% and 45%.
By Shula Rosen
Israel says it is moving steadily toward its strategic target of generating one-third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen told the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee last month.
His remarks come despite the fact that renewable power accounted for only 14.7% of national electricity consumption by the end of 2024.
Cohen said the shift toward clean energy is becoming a central pillar of Israel’s economic and strategic planning. “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,” he told lawmakers.
Government ministries have already begun drafting higher benchmarks for 2035, aiming for figures between 35% and 45%.
Hitting the 2030 goal will require a major expansion of infrastructure, including boosting installed renewable capacity from roughly 7,500 megawatts today to about 16,000 megawatts.
Energy Ministry Director-General Yossi Dayan briefed the committee on a set of initiatives being coordinated with the Electricity Authority to accelerate deployment.
He said the ministry intends to push new regulations that would encourage construction of rooftop systems combining solar and agricultural elements on private homes, launch a public campaign to expand at-home solar installations, and issue nationwide tenders for utility-scale projects in the Negev and Golan Heights.
According to Dayan, renewable production is not only an environmental priority but also supports national security and technological resilience.
He argued that strengthening domestic generating capacity, storage networks and grid infrastructure reduces exposure to global energy disruptions and cuts reliance on imported fuels.
Dayan also noted that progress is complicated by several persistent obstacles. These include delays connecting new facilities to the power grid, lengthy planning and permitting processes, competing land-use demands, and the need to broaden agrivoltaic projects. Working groups have been formed to address each issue, he said.
“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 said, adding that long-term energy independence will depend on expanded storage, wider private-sector participation and a resilient domestic production base.
Israel’s Energy Ministry published its long-term plan for achieving net-zero emissions in the energy sector by 2050 in August 2024.
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