By Pesach Benson • August 18, 2026
Jerusalem, 18 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli city of Beit Shemesh is launching a multi-year energy initiative designed to turn municipal energy infrastructure into a source of revenue.
the city currently operates 35 municipally owned solar systems generating an average of NIS 2.4 million ($700,000) annually.
Sun and clouds over Kibbutz Palmahim in central Israel on March 15, 2022. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
With support from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the city is now expanding into energy storage while also attracting private investment to develop solar installations on municipal roofs and other properties.
Twelve energy storage systems with a combined capacity of about 7 megawatts are entering the installation stage, making the project the largest municipal energy storage initiative in Israel to reach this phase, according to the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry. The systems are expected to generate about NIS 700,000 ($204,000) in annual revenue and provide backup power to selected public buildings and municipal facilities during emergencies and power outages.
The city is also pursuing projects worth about NIS 11 million ($3.2 million), funded by government ministries, including storage systems and an energy management system.
Beit Shemesh currently has about 3.3 megawatts of solar generation capacity and aims to reach 10 megawatts within a year.
“This move allows us to turn energy into an engine of economic growth,” Mayor Shmuel Greenberg said. “We are changing our thinking so that energy becomes an integral part of how Beit Shemesh plans its future.”
