I published this week in ynet an article (https://lnkd.in/dgp2T945) calling to stop the construction of new gas-fired power plants. Here is an English translation - in 3 parts.
part 1:
The construction of new gas-fired power plants is a colossal waste.
About half a year ago, the Minister of Energy made the final decision to cease electricity generation at the Reading station in the heart of Tel Aviv. This followed years of zigzagging decisions, accompanied by threats from industry professionals of "doomsday darkness scenario", a professional term that has become commonplace. In its place, a battery storage facility will be built. It is fitting that a similar decision be made to scrap plans for the construction of new gas‑fired power plants, such as the Kassem and Reindeer power stations.
The development plan for the electricity sector prepared by Noga, the Israeli independent system operator, after examination under extremely conservative assumptions, determined that (barely) two additional gas‑fired stations are needed by 2030. These stations are de facto already in development - in Sorek and Eshkol - so there is no need for additional ones. A recent decision made by the National Planning Council, encouraged by the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Administration and opposed by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, is just plain wrong.
Every additional gas‑fired station is a waste of public funds, leads to pollution, locks us into continued greenhouse gas emissions, and harms public health and the environment. Noga’s conservative assumptions did not consider additional options for dealing with peak demand:
1. It is already clear that even if we do not meet the 2030 renewable energy target of 30%, we will not be far from it. Therefore, we will not even need the two gas-fired stations whose construction has already begun.
2. The electrification of vehicles, which was a source of concern for Noga, is proving, as I have previously argued, the opposite in recent days, when the WEVO, a company which manages the charging of thousands of electric vehicles, showed that it was able to significantly reduce the electricity consumption of vehicles during peak hours through flexible pricing. In this matter as well, Noga’s concerns are proving to be unfounded.
3. The entry of private suppliers - companies that consumers can be connected to in order to reduce the cost of electricity - makes the possibility of demand management, which was not considered at all in the development plan, feasible. Suppliers will strive in the coming years to reduce peak demand, as their profits depend on it.
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