Israel’s Ministry of Energy plans to explore renewable energy generation using its maritime space
It has invited applications to conduct a Strategic Environmental Survey for the purpose
Wind and solar energy are among the eligible technologies to be considered
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in Israel plans to use its maritime space to generate renewable energy to further its efforts to diversify its energy generation sources for the country’s energy security.
Energy generation technologies in consideration for offshore renewable energy generation include those from wind, solar, ocean waves, currents, green hydrogen, energy storage, heat exchange, biomass growth, and carbon fixation.
According to the ministry, the sea makes it possible to promote and test new energy technologies that cannot be applied on land to generate electricity. It explained, “The marine space constitutes another area for planning and promoting renewable energy systems, in light of the high density of land in the State of Israel.”
The government plans to formulate a policy for the sustainable development of natural resources, including in the marine space. In accordance with the requirement in the OECD countries, Israel needs a strategic environmental survey to bring in such a policy.
Hence, it is seeking interested bidders to conduct a Strategic Environmental Survey (SES) of its maritime space for renewable energy production. This, according to the ministry, constitutes a groundbreaking step to promote renewable energy in Israel’s sovereign and economic waters.
A scoping document, prepared by the ministry and independent experts, will be the base of this survey and is likely to last about a year and a half. It is aimed to provide reliable information about available infrastructure to be used for the purpose while minimizing impact on the maritime environment.
Announced on March 10, 2025, the last date to submit proposals is May 18, 2025, according to information available on the ministry’s website.
Floating solar is already a reality in Israel, as such projects are already operational across various regions here (see 11 MW Floating Solar Power Plant Online In Israel).
It is also exploring the development of other PV applications. The energy ministry has approved the installation of solar panels on the walls of the Hillel Water Reservoir near the settlement of Talmei Yosef in the Eshkol Regional Council. Part of the National Infrastructure Plan, this project is expected to produce close to 110 MW of renewable energy. It will be accompanied by an energy storage facility. A tender for its implementation will be launched once the plan is approved.