Senior Official Warns State's Server Farm Plan Could Cost Lives

A senior official at Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection has warned that a state plan to promote server farms, also known as data centers, could lead to increased air pollution, illness, and deaths, and cost the economy approximately 3 billion shekels annually. Shuli Nizar, Senior Deputy Director General for Environmental Licensing and Risk Prevention, stated in a letter obtained by N12 that the Electricity Authority's proposal to connect server farms to the grid would dramatically increase pollutant emissions.

Nizar argued that the increased electricity demand from these farms would also shorten the lifespan of Israel's natural gas reserves and necessitate greater reliance on polluting coal-fired power plants. She noted that a single large server farm can consume as much electricity as 40,000 households, 24 hours a day. The Ministry estimates that by 2035, server farms could account for 20% of Israel's electricity consumption.

The Ministry's calculations suggest the plan could lead to a more than 10% rise in air pollutant emissions, contributing to additional mortality and morbidity. This is particularly concerning as it is estimated that air pollution already causes around 5,500 premature deaths annually in Israel. The economic damage from increased illness, deaths, and lost workdays is estimated at 2 billion shekels per year, with an additional billion shekels annually from backup generators.

Furthermore, Nizar warned that the current plan would accelerate the depletion of Israel's natural gas reserves by two to three years, potentially forcing the increased use of old, polluting coal units and generators near urban areas. The Ministry of Environmental Protection advocates for a higher target for renewable energy production by 2035, suggesting 45% of electricity should come from renewables, compared to the Electricity Authority's recommendation of 35%. Environmental organizations are also calling for a comprehensive review of the server farm policy, urging that these facilities be required to use clean energy and that an inter-ministerial committee examine the policy holistically.