Israel Approves Plans for Three New Natural Gas Power Plants

The Israeli transitional government has authorized the advancement of plans for three new natural gas-powered electricity generation facilities. This authorization allows developers to submit their proposals to the National Infrastructures Committee for approval, a crucial step before construction can begin. Each plant is projected to have a minimum capacity of 630 megawatts, with developers aiming for at least 900 megawatts. The first plant is planned for the Palmachim Park area, east of Kibbutz Palmachim, and is to be developed by Palmachim Park Ltd. The second is slated for the grounds of Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, between the Granot factories and the Menashe wastewater treatment facility, with Shamir Group as the developer. The third facility is proposed north of the Gith wastewater treatment plant, between Highways 6 and 581, and will be built by PowerGen.

While this government approval is a significant milestone, it is not final. The decision acknowledges potential challenges that could impede the construction of some plants. In Palmachim, the plant's establishment is contingent on not hindering the expansion of a nearby desalination facility, leading to a recommendation for the smallest possible plant size. The Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, opposed this proposal. For the Shamir Group's plant, concerns exist about an oversupply of applications in the region, casting doubt on the approval of all projects. Furthermore, this plant might interfere with the planned Hadera airport, necessitating an aviation survey and approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. Similar concerns about an oversupply of applications in the Sharon and Emek Hefer region could affect PowerGen's proposed plant near the Gith wastewater treatment facility, requiring verification that it won't impede local community expansion.

In addition to the gas-fired plants, two agro-voltaic facilities, which combine solar energy production with agriculture, also received authorization. One is located in the Mateh Asher Regional Council, to be built by PowerGen, and the other is by Nofar Energy in Moshav Shokeda. The legal advisor to the government noted potential issues with approving plans during a transitional government period, emphasizing the need for restraint. However, the advisor concluded that these decisions implement policies from previous government resolutions and are not final approvals but rather authorizations to submit plans, without a commitment to their ultimate approval.