Discussions with Israel on joint photovoltaic parks in Greece

Israel is looking for ways to increase the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources into domestic energy consumption, seeking to accelerate its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the issues, however, that Jerusalem has to face is the lack of space for the development of RES projects in its territory, although the country’s solar potential is rich. The densely populated areas of the country make it difficult for the Naftali Bennett government to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 as it is not easy to build photovoltaic parks in Israel.

According to a Bloomberg report, the director general of the Prime Minister’ office Yair Pines announced that Israel is in talks for possible joint projects in Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, and other countries. The progress of these projects of course depends on the development of appropriate transportation and storage systems.

According to OT.gr sources, the Athens-Jerusalem talks on the development of joint projects between Israeli and Greek companies in Greece, acquired substance after the signing of the memorandum between Greece – Cyprus – Israel on the underwater electricity interconnection of the three countries. It is recalled that a relevant agreement has been signed between Greece and Egypt.

From vision to reality

According to Bloomberg, Pines noted in statements that Israel will provide technological know-how to partners. “Our neighbors have a lot of open land, something we do not have. We have the technology,” Pines said in an interview in Jerusalem. “It makes sense for this vision to become a reality in the coming years.”

Israel announced last month its strategic plan for zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has promised to develop green infrastructure as well as carbon capture and storage technology to help meet those goals. After years of slow progress in renewable energy, Israel now aims to triple production to 30% of electricity consumption by the end of the decade.

To achieve this goal, Bennett instructed officials to identify and remove regulatory barriers to start-ups working on environmentally friendly technology. The government will also allow companies to use national infrastructure, such as military bases and hospitals, as testing grounds for their technology, with the aim of accelerating growth.

The Israeli government, according to Bloomberg, is also considering helping green tech companies struggling to raise funding by matching investment plans with other countries or leveraging ties with big investors such as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.