Can Israel Become a Regional Energy Power?

The Israeli Energy and Environment Institute’s Energy Summit 2026 was held this year at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya Pituach under the theme “Resilience, Independence and a Regional Future.” Senior figures from the energy, infrastructure and financial sectors gathered to discuss how Israel can maintain continuity, strengthen energy security and play a larger regional role amid shifting security, economic and geopolitical conditions.

The summit reflected a wider public debate about Israel’s energy future, especially the need to guarantee uninterrupted supplies of electricity, fuel, natural gas and water in both routine times and emergencies. Speakers stressed that energy is now tied not only to economics and infrastructure, but also to national security, industry, cost of living, foreign relations and Israel’s ability to meet rising demand from data centers, artificial intelligence and crisis readiness.

US Ambassador to Israel Michael Huckaby linked regional cooperation and economic stability, saying, “If we want a future, we must have a stable economy, an economy that works for the people who live there.” NewMed Energy CEO Yossi Abu said Israel already supplies gas from the Leviathan and Tamar fields to Jordan and Egypt and is a major electricity player in the region. Energy Minister Eli Cohen said, “This war proves one central thing, the importance of the energy sector,” while Israeli Energy and Environment Institute chairman Yossi Rosen argued that energy has effectively replaced nuclear issues as the central geopolitical concern.

Water infrastructure also featured prominently. Mekorot CEO Dani Sofer said a home cannot function without water for 24 hours, and that agriculture depends on water and therefore continuous supply is essential in normal times and in emergencies. Private power producers forum chair Keren Barak said private producers generate 60% of Israel’s electricity and accused Israel Electric Corporation of trying to return to generation, which she said runs against the public interest.

Noga chairman Tal Bassachs warned that power planning must look a decade ahead, because infrastructure built today will not be ready for ten years. Abu said Israel must expand both gas-based plants and renewable energy, and prepare for the AI boom and the electricity needs of new server farms. Chevron Eastern Mediterranean general manager Jack Baker said Israel’s energy security will require more investment in exploration and infrastructure, plus a more stable and competitive investment climate. Sofer added that Mekorot is working with the Energy Ministry, Noga and the Electricity Authority on hybrid local plants to provide emergency power and feed the grid. Rosen summed up the goal, saying there should be no power cuts, no fuel shortages, and no threat to Israel’s ability to operate its military and economy.