Breaking Update
Israel Takes Another Step Toward the End of the Coal Era
Israel limits Orot Rabin power plant coal operations to 350 hours/year, a crucial step in the nation's coal phase-out and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Jerusalem, 19 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — In what it is calling “another step towards the end of the coal era” Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection published the updated emission permit for the orot rabin power plant. The permit has strict operating restrictions out of national responsibility according to the update of the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure’s policy.
According to the permit, it will be possible to operate the units for competency tests that will not exceed 350 hours per unit per year. They will also be allowed to operate at the request of Noga for up to an additional 150 hours. These hours will serve as the backup required to complete environmental projects in the electricity sector that will lead to an improvement in the air quality situation, including converting coal-fired units to gas and increasing energy storage volumes that will enable the introduction of renewable energies at increasing rates.
According to government policy in recent years, steps have been taken to stop the routine use of coal and reduce air pollution from energy production – all within the framework of the commitment to meeting the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
