Israel’s 2035 Renewable Plan: Not Enough

Quick Verdict – Israel’s 2035 plan falls short

Israel’s newly released 2035 renewable‑energy strategy is a step forward, but at the pace and scale outlined it will not close the gap to the 35‑45 % share the government is now eyeing. Even the most optimistic scenario leaves a shortfall of several gigawatts that must be built each year to stay on track.

Greenpeace’s Main Critique

Greenpeace Israel welcomes the fact that the Ministry of Energy has finally set a long‑term target, yet the NGO warns that the draft “does not match the urgency of the climate crisis”. In its statement the group calls for accelerated permitting, higher renewable‑share goals (at least 40 % by 2035) and a clear roadmap for a substantial increase in capacity. Without these, the plan “remains a political promise rather than an actionable blueprint”.

How the Numbers Stack Up: Capacity Gaps

• Current renewable capacity sits at roughly 8 GW (about 16 % of Israel’s electricity mix).
• 2030 target: around 16 GW (roughly 35 % share) – meaning the country will need to add a sizable amount of new capacity over the next five years.
• 2035 ambition: 26 GW (35‑45 % share) – a large jump from today’s level, implying a major build‑out of renewable resources.
• Connected capacity today is only about 7 GW of the roughly 17 GW that experts say is required to secure the grid by 2035. These figures show that even if the 2035 target of 26 GW is met, the rate of installation must accelerate considerably compared with the current pace.

Why Faster Deployment Matters – Technical & Climate

Building additional gigawatts of solar or wind each year is not just a numbers game. Solar PV on rooftops and in utility‑scale farms reduces reliance on imported natural gas, cuts CO₂ emissions (about 0.5 kg per kWh generated), and improves grid resilience. Delays therefore translate into higher cumulative emissions. Moreover, the Electricity Authority’s recent tariff hike for commercial PV (up to 33 %) signals that without a clear, supportive policy, large‑scale projects may become financially unattractive.

What it Means for Israeli Households

Using Israel’s typical residential figures (₪0.48/kWh tariff, ₪3,150/kWp install cost, 1,700 kWh/kWp · yr yield in the central region), a 10 kWp rooftop system would:

• Generate ≈17,000 kWh/yr, worth ≈₪8,160 in avoided electricity bills.
• Cost ≈₪31,500 to install, giving a simple payback of about 3.9 years and a 25‑year lifetime thereafter. If the nation were to scale such installations widely, the aggregate savings for households could be substantial, illustrating how the national target, if met on schedule, directly translates into tangible benefits for ordinary Israelis.

Looking Ahead – Policy Levers

To bridge the gap, Greenpeace and industry analysts recommend:

1. Streamlined permitting – cut approval times from years to months.
2. Higher renewable‑share goals – lock in at least 40 % by 2035.
3. Stable, long‑term tariffs for both rooftop and utility‑scale projects to guarantee investor confidence.
4. Grid upgrades – expand storage and smart‑grid capabilities so that the surge of intermittent solar can be absorbed without curtailment. If these measures are adopted, Israel could not only meet its 2035 climate commitments but also foster a domestic solar industry that drives down panel prices and creates employment opportunities.

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For a deeper dive into the financials of a home solar system, try our solar ROI calculator. Up‑to‑date market data is available on our renewables data page.

Sources & further reading

• Israel on track to produce one-third of its power from renewables by 2030, minister says
• Israel targets 26 GW of renewables by 2035 - pv magazine Global
• Israel releases a new renewable strategy to 2035, targets 26 GW of renewables | Enerdata
• [XLS] capacity_target_wide - Ember
• Israel has unveiled an ambitious National Energy Plan for 2035...