Israel Approves New Power Plant in Ashdod Despite Environmental Concerns
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The Israeli government has greenlit the Ashdod Oil Refinery's plan to build an 800 MW power station, overriding objections from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Environmental groups and local authorities oppose the project, citing existing high pollution levels in Ashdod. The Ministry of Energy stated this is a preliminary planning step, with environmental reviews still pending, as electricity demand is expected to surge.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's government approved the Ashdod Oil Refinery's plan for an 800 MW power station.
- The approval came despite strong objections from the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
- Environmental groups cited high existing pollution levels in the Ashdod industrial zone.
- Local authorities noted the region already produces a disproportionate amount of the country's electricity.
- The Ministry of Energy emphasized this is a preliminary planning stage, not a construction permit.
- Rising electricity demand is attributed to data centers, electric vehicles, and population growth.
The Israeli government has approved the Ashdod Oil Refinery's advancement of plans to construct a new power station, which will feed electricity into the national grid. This decision was made despite objections from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The refinery currently operates a smaller 109 MW station that solely serves its own needs, but it intends to replace this with a full-scale 800 MW facility.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has voiced significant concerns, highlighting that the northern part of Ashdod already hosts several polluting facilities, including the refinery itself, the Eshkol power station, and the seaport. The ministry stated that pollution levels in this area already exceed those in other Israeli industrial zones. Furthermore, they question the necessity of additional fossil fuel power plants and warned of potential judicial intervention regarding existing emission permits.
Local authorities have also opposed the project. The Ashdod-Hevel-Yavne Union of Cities for Environmental Protection pointed out that the region, home to only 4% of Israel's population, already generates approximately 14% of the country's electricity. They also referenced a government-approved national program from June aimed at reducing air pollution in the Ashdod area.
Demand for electricity in Israel is projected to rise significantly due to factors such as the growth of data centers, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and overall population and economic expansion. The Ministry of Energy clarified that this approval marks only the preliminary planning stage, not a construction permit, and assured that all environmental aspects will be thoroughly examined. The refinery must now submit its plans to the National Council for Planning and Construction.
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