Jellyfish Swarm Disrupts Cooling Systems at Ashkelon Power Plant

A swarm of jellyfish has recently arrived at the Rotenberg Power Plant in Ashkelon, prompting the Israel Electric Corporation to take action. The jellyfish have been carried by currents to the southern coast and have clogged the plant's cooling system filters. The plant's teams, prepared for this seasonal phenomenon, are actively cleaning the filters and removing the jellyfish into designated containers to ensure free seawater flow and maintain normal operation of the production units. The Israel Electric Corporation confirmed that the power plant continues to operate normally without any disruption to electricity supply.

This jellyfish influx has appeared earlier than usual this year, preceding the typical bathing season. The National Institute for Oceanography and Limnology reported unusually large quantities of jellyfish along Israel's coastline as early as the beginning of May. Dr. Hadas Lubinovsky, a senior marine biologist at the institute, described the situation as surprising, noting the waters are filled with jellyfish of various sizes. The main species observed include the wandering jellyfish and the blue-bordered jellyfish, creating what she called a "mixed phenomenon." The jellyfish do not actively swim to shore but are carried by currents and western winds, which push them toward the coast. Dr. Lubinovsky explained that jellyfish prefer to stay in the water and only reach the shore due to these environmental factors.