Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure will grant approximately 10 million Shekels ($3.15 million) to 21 groundbreaking studies in the fields of energy and earth and marine science.

These are researchers from 11 academic institutions across the country, including the Technion, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, Bar Ilan University, and more. The agreements with the academic institutions are currently being signed, and the studies are underway for a period of one to three years, with some of them potentially becoming technologies that will affect every home in Israel.

For example, innovative research by Bar Ilan University, supported by the ministry, seeks to break new ground in the field of plastic recycling using an electrochemical method for breaking down PET bottles to produce fuels and highly valuable chemical products.

Which academic institution will lead the next groundbreaking research on preventing dust emissions from quarries? Which researchers will combine drones with renewable energy? And who is the professor who wants to develop a system that will generate electricity from the sound of the sea and wave movements?
The Chief Scientist Unit at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is publishing today the list of 21 academic research projects that have received support totaling approximately NIS 10 million. These are researchers from 11 academic institutions across the country, including the Technion, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, and others. Agreements are currently being signed with the academic institutions, and the research projects will commence for a period of one to three years, with some of them potentially becoming technologies that will impact every home in Israel.

Among the winning research projects is the proposal by Prof. Daniel Nissim from Bar-Ilan University on developing an innovative method for treating PET plastic waste, used for soft drink bottles. The idea behind the research is to break down the polymer in an electrochemical cell and produce fuels, while simultaneously using the hydrocarbon mixture as raw material for producing fuels and various high-value chemical products. This is a highly innovative research that could lead to an unknown breakthrough in the plastic recycling industry. For the execution of this research, the Ministry will provide a grant of NIS 499,600. 

Another groundbreaking research will focus on developing an innovative system that generates electricity from the sound of the sea and wave motion, with the aim of powering small marine monitoring devices. The research will be conducted by Prof. Roi Diamant from the University of Haifa, and he will receive a grant of NIS 657,100.

Further research that may leave its mark on the energy sector is that of Prof. Yitzhak Katreh from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who will examine the development of a system for monitoring and preventing dust emissions from quarries. The goal of the research is to assist in determining appropriate policy for Israel in the field of quarries and in improving air quality. For this purpose, the researcher received a grant from the Ministry amounting to NIS 685,937.

Dr. Amichai Horesh from the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, and Prof. David Zerok from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have also received support from the Ministry to conduct a joint research project examining the possibility of developing a drone integrated with innovative sound wave-based technology for cleaning solar panels without the use of water. Both researchers received a grant from the Ministry for this research amounting to NIS 999,000. 

Last year, the Ministry awarded approximately NIS 8 million to 11 research projects from 6 different academic institutions across the country.

Attached is the full list of winners and the total grants for this year. 

Prof. Brian Rosen, Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure places great importance on strengthening applied academic research in Israel, and on providing tools that will help bring innovative technologies out of the laboratories, for the significant benefit of the energy, water, and quarry sectors. Strengthening applied research in Israeli academic research institutions will ensure that Israel remains at the global forefront of scientific breakthroughs leading to technological developments in the fields of energy, water, quarries, and the environment.”

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen: “The past year has proven that the State of Israel has a strong energy economy. Despite damage to strategic facilities during the ‘With All Our Might’ operation, and breaking electricity consumption records during the summer heatwave, there was no shortage of electricity, water, fuel, or natural gas. We strengthened our position as a regional energy superpower with the approval of the natural gas export deal to Egypt, the largest in the country’s history. In addition, the electricity reform, the largest consumer reform since the cellular reform, continues at full force on its way to two million citizens who will enjoy electricity at a reduced price. We will continue next year to work to strengthen the position of the State of Israel, and for the benefit of all citizens.”

Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Yossi Dayan: “The past year has demonstrated more than ever the strategic importance of a strong, diverse, and resilient energy economy. Even against the backdrop of security and regional challenges, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has led a significant leap forward – in expanding renewable energies, in strengthening the natural gas economy as an economic and geopolitical anchor, and in laying infrastructure for the day after: artificial intelligence, storage, hydrogen, and future energies. Alongside this, we have advanced consumer reforms, strengthened the energy security of Israeli citizens, and deepened international collaborations that position Israel at the forefront of global energy. We will continue to act with determination to ensure an advanced, safe, and sustainable energy economy for the benefit of the economy, society, and future generations.”

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure summarizes the past year’s activities, which were full of unprecedented achievements:

Natural Gas:
In recent weeks, approval was signed for the natural gas export deal to Egypt, the largest deal in the country’s history, worth NIS 112 billion. The state’s expected revenues from the deal amount to NIS 58 billion. The deal strengthens Israel‘s position as a regional energy superpower and contributes to political and security interests. As part of intensive negotiations led by the Ministry’s Director General Yossi Dayan, priority for the domestic market was ensured at all times, as well as an attractive price for the domestic market that will ensure continued low energy prices. It should be noted that, thanks in part to natural gas, the price of electricity in Israel is 50% lower than the average price in Europe on an annual comparison.

In addition, the Ministry will soon publish another competitive tender for natural gas exploration in Israel’s economic waters, following the issuance of exploration permits last year to two international energy giants: Britain’s BP and SOCAR from Azerbaijan.

In the first half of 2025, state revenues from natural gas royalties, minerals, and fees amounted to approximately NIS 980 million, and are expected to exceed NIS 2 billion by the end of the year. Concurrently, the Ministry continued to promote connections of peripheral areas to natural gas: the connection of the Jordan Valley and Beit She’an to the natural gas grid was completed, with an investment of approximately NIS 10 million. Furthermore, the Ministry’s Natural Gas Authority continued to connect hospitals to natural gas, and their number now stands at 10. In addition, the Ministry connected approximately 40 large consumers to the natural gas distribution network, the highest number of connections to date for a single year.

Chen Bar Yosef, Director of the Nature Resources Administration at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “We are pleased that through intensive teamwork led by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and the Director General of the Ministry, we have achieved significant improvement, both in energy security in terms of increasing expected production capacity, and in state revenues which are expected to rise to billions of shekels per year. This, alongside the entry of significant international players into the natural gas market. The natural gas production sector, under our leadership, has demonstrated energy resilience, strength, and flexibility in dealing with the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, the ‘With All Our Might’ operation, and all the threats that arose from them. We will continue to supply this product safely and continuously to electricity consumers in Israel.”

Moshe Grazi, Director of the Natural Gas Authority at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “Despite a complex security reality, the natural gas economy maintained stability and enabled energy continuity for the electricity sector. Simultaneously, many connections to the economy were advanced, and a record number of new consumers for the year was recorded, particularly in the periphery, alongside steps to strengthen competition. For the first time, a license was revoked from a private company due to delays in connecting consumers, and it was transferred to Netagaz – a move to strengthen infrastructure in the Jerusalem area.”

Performance of the Energy Economy During the War:
Throughout the war, including the ‘With All Our Might’ operation, the electricity sector functioned flawlessly. Despite damage to strategic facilities, and even the shutdown of some natural gas platforms, there was no shortage of electricity, water, fuel, or natural gas, and emergency reserves were not even used. During the war, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, along with all government energy companies, held daily situation assessments and meticulously supervised supply and consumption.

Electricity Reform:
The electricity reform, launched in July 2024, continues to gain momentum, and during the year, over 100,000 households and businesses, representing about half a million customers, joined it. Customers who left the Israel Electric Corporation and moved to private companies are enjoying a discount of 7% – 20% on their electricity bills, saving hundreds to thousands of shekels per year. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is promoting measures to increase the electricity supply for private companies, in order to increase competition and enhance discounts.

It should be emphasized that this year’s State Comptroller’s report found that the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is the ministry that has done the most regarding the cost of living. The reform in the import of electrical products, led by the Ministry, reduced the regulatory and bureaucratic burden on importers, increased competition, and led to the introduction of a wider variety of energy-efficient products. The reform led to a decrease in the prices of household electrical products in a vast market of over NIS 10 billion per year, as well as annual savings of hundreds of shekels for each household.

Renewable Energies:
Ron Eifer, Director of the Sustainable Energy Division at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “This year, we expanded Israel’s use of renewable energy by over 15% with the addition of approximately 1,000 megawatts of clean energy. This is a dramatic increase.”

As part of an overall strategic vision, Israel has been working for several years to promote renewable energies as a central anchor in Israel’s energy economy goals. Within this framework, numerous projects have been advanced, covering a wide range of areas from public information accessibility, through the removal of regulatory barriers in the field, to encouraging the establishment and use of renewable energies and the transition to sustainable and renewable energy:

• Accelerating large-scale projects in the field of renewable energy.
• Removing barriers and reducing bureaucracy for the establishment of dual-use solar facilities, with an emphasis on solar roofs and solar canopies.
• The entry into force of the obligation to install solar systems on new construction.
• Promoting infrastructure for electric vehicles, including charging stations.
• Promoting projects in local authorities for the transition to sustainable energy, including the establishment of emergency storage facilities, transition to electric transportation, energy efficiency, and the construction of renewable energy facilities on public buildings, among others.

During the operational year, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s Sustainable Energy Division led several flagship projects:

• The “100,000 Roofs” program: a national initiative to install solar systems on 100,000 roofs by 2030, including an economic simulator for the public and the removal of barriers.
• Covering sports fields: a project in cooperation with the Ministries of Culture and Sport and Environmental Protection to cover approximately 1,000 fields, a move that will lead to the production of clean electricity and income for local authorities.
• Mapping solar potential: the launch of an online map system that allows every citizen and entrepreneur to check the solar production potential on roofs of residential and public buildings.
• Farewell to solar water heaters: the publication of a report recommending the transition to photovoltaic systems and heat pumps in new construction, a move expected to save billions of shekels for the economy.

Promoting Policy and Strategy for Economic Development, Climate, and Diversification of Sources:
Sharon Chatzor, Deputy Director General for Policy, Planning, and Strategy at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “Today we are already planning for the days after natural gas, with nuclear being one of the things we are considering.”
As part of the multi-year strategic plan for the energy economy, the Ministry has also promoted the development of additional energy sources this year, including nuclear energy and hydrogen. In this context, the Ministry led a multi-sectoral forum on hydrogen this year. The multi-sectoral forum included government officials, entrepreneurs, technology companies, and various organizations, and formulated a published report, including policy steps, among them support, together with the Israel Innovation Authority, for the establishment of a pilot site for fuel alternatives with an emphasis on hydrogen. In addition, the Ministry will soon publish calls for proposals for the establishment of a hydrogen valley in the eastern Negev.

Furthermore, understanding the strategic importance of international connections and collaborations, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure continued to work this year to strengthen strategic ties, with agreements signed during the year with:

• Greece – an agreement for cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and advanced technologies, aimed at ensuring regional energy security and establishing an energy corridor to Europe.
• USA – This year, the BIRD Energy program was renewed, funding research and development between Israeli and American companies in the fields of natural gas, energy cyber, and energy storage.
• Signing an MOU on AI with the US Department of Energy – An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of Israel and the US Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Energy (DOE), and the White House National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) also participated.
• Germany – Signing a joint work plan to deepen cooperation for the third consecutive time.

Research and Development:
Prof. Brian Rosen, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “Grants through academic research tracks, such as Startup and Pioneer, provide significant support for the development of promising energy technologies. We expect that this year’s grant recipients will contribute to the growth of Israel’s energy market by establishing new companies and expanding the activities of existing companies. In addition, the Ministry places great importance on supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers in the energy fields, including through excellence scholarships. These tools are designed to encourage students to choose fields of study essential for strengthening Israel’s energy security.”

Based on a clear policy to promote innovation and new technologies, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure invested over NIS 23 million this year in promoting groundbreaking technologies and research in a variety of fields, including: electricity, energy storage, renewable energies, transportation fuel alternatives, hydrogen, energy efficiency, water, and energy recovery from waste. Within this framework, the Chief Scientist’s unit in the Ministry awarded grants to 18 innovative projects in the Startup and Pioneer tracks amounting to approximately NIS 13.4 million, and also provided funding of approximately NIS 10 million for 21 advanced research projects from Israeli academia, as part of the commitment to lead Israeli scientific and technological innovation.

Physical Planning
Ariel Prinz, Senior Director of Physical Planning at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “The year 2025 was characterized by significant planning activity in the energy economy. The promoted initiatives lay the groundwork for continued growth in the establishment of dual-use facilities, and particularly for the expansion of the agro-voltaic market led by the private sector, alongside encouraging the installation of storage facilities and government promotion of large-scale solar facilities in reclaimed areas.”

In 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure achieved significant progress in physical planning, as part of efforts to expand energy infrastructure and meet government renewable energy targets. Among the key achievements are the approval for validation of the integrated infrastructure corridor from the Arava Junction to the Timna area (TAMA 37/3/E) – a strategic plan of approximately 160 km along Highway 90, including integrated infrastructure complexes that will enable the connection and transmission of various infrastructures to and from the south of the country, while adhering to principles of integrated infrastructure and minimizing damage to land resources. Concurrently, the formulation and approval by the subcommittee of TAMA 1/24 were completed – groundbreaking planning regulation in the field of agro-voltaic facilities, which is expected to receive final approval in early 2026. This TAMA will enable the orderly promotion of solar facilities over agricultural land, including in urban areas and high-demand zones, and will even allow for the issuance of permits without the need for a detailed plan.
In addition, a large-scale solar site in the Timna area (TATL 116) was approved for validation, and the planning of another site in the Halel Reservoir dams in the Eshkol region was completed – its approval is expected in early 2026. All of these were carried out using reclaimed areas and constitute central infrastructure for promoting renewable energy production in Israel.

Fuel and Gas Administration

Bat Sheva Abuhazira, Director of the Fuel and Gas Administration at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “The year 2025 highlighted the importance of a strong and stable fuel economy. Even under complex operational and security challenges, the Fuel and Gas Administration ensured full supply continuity to the economy, while continuing to promote national infrastructure, hydrogen solutions, renewable fuels, and clean transportation – as part of a broad and long-term energy security vision for the State of Israel.”

During 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s Fuel and Gas Administration led a series of key and significant initiatives that were at the core of Israel’s energy economy activities. During the ‘With All Our Might’ operation, the Administration had to contend with exceptional operational and security challenges, while maintaining the stability of the fuel economy and ensuring supply continuity to all sectors of the economy – industry, transportation, defense, and more.
Concurrently, the promotion of national infrastructure continued in accordance with government decisions, focusing on the establishment and expansion of storage facilities for refined products and LPG, the construction of marine connections, strengthening the supply system at ports, and other infrastructure projects essential for the energy security of the State of Israel. This year also marked a milestone for the entry of hydrogen technology into transportation, with the promotion of a national initiative to establish a second hydrogen station and the purchase of hydrogen-powered trucks – a move intended to pave the way for wider hydrogen penetration into the transportation sector.

In the sustainability domain, the Administration continued to promote renewable and clean fuel solutions, by developing regulatory tools and incentives to reduce the use of polluting fuels and decrease emissions from the transportation and industrial sectors. In addition, significant progress was made in the deployment of public charging stations for electric vehicles, in cooperation with local authorities and private entrepreneurs. This is an important step in promoting smart and clean transportation, while creating a reliable and accessible infrastructure for the general public.
In general, the year 2025 was characterized by a combination of ongoing management of a sensitive and complex fuel economy and the promotion of innovation, the establishment of infrastructure for a green future, and the fulfillment of national energy policy goals.

Jerusalem, 30 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Fuel and Gas Administration in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announces that at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday (31.12.25-1.1.26) the prices of fuel products that are under supervision and sold to consumers at gas stations will be updated.

The maximum price per liter of unleaded 95 octane gasoline for the consumer at a self-service station (including VAT) will not exceed 6.85 Shekels ($2.10) per liter, a decrease of 0.26 Shekels from the previous update.

The surcharge for full service will be 0.25 Shekels per liter (including VAT), unchanged from the previous update.

Jerusalem, 28 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure publishes today (Sunday) the annual electricity consumption index in local authority properties in Israel for 2024. As in previous years, this year too, the index is based on data from the authorities’ own consumption reports, and presents both the total electricity consumption in the authorities’ properties in relation to the number of residents in the authority and the total electricity consumption for outdoor lighting in relation to the area of the authority (square kilometers).

In 2024, 213 authorities out of 259 local authorities in Israel reported on their energy consumption – an addition of more than 40 new authorities compared to 2023. Despite the significant increase in the number of those reporting, it can be seen that the indices were maintained at levels similar to previous years.

The data shows that electricity consumption per resident in local authority properties in 2024 increased by 6% compared to 2023, from 150 kWh per resident in 2023, to 159 kWh per resident in 2024. The increase appears to stem, among other things, from the consequences of the war that continued throughout 2024, during which operating hours were extended to serve residents, some authorities operated in emergency situations, and increased use of lighting was made – which likely also led to an increase of approximately 6.8% in outdoor lighting consumption compared to 2023.

The index shows that in 2024 there was an increase in the number of local authorities ranked in the minimum electricity consumption category, from 69 authorities in 2023 to 78 authorities in 2024 – an increase of approximately 13%. In contrast to this increase, the number of authorities in the maximum consumption category hardly changed, despite the expansion of the circle of reporting authorities.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said that in order to make the Negev “flourish and strengthen Israel’s status as a global leader in innovation,” an international hydrogen and innovation valley will be established in the eastern Negev

Hydrogen is a green energy source considered the “fuel of the future,” explained the Ministry. The Hydrogen Valley is expected to include a hydrogen refueling station, as well as innovative technologies in the field of hydrogen and energy, including pyrolysis for hydrogen production, hydrogen-based generators, and advanced industrial solutions.

The valley will be established with a government investment of more than 40 million Shekels ($12.2 million).

The Hydrogen and Innovation Valley will serve as an infrastructure and technological hub for examining various aspects of hydrogen production, supply and use in the region and will become a magnet for sustainable economic growth. The valley will demonstrate the hydrogen value chain, from hydrogen production technologies, through storage, warehousing and transportation, to its final use in various sectors.

“The establishment of the valley in Israel will advance the national ability to actually implement hydrogen use throughout the value chain, both in terms of infrastructure and commercial aspects, will assist in formulating appropriate regulation, will advance research and development, and will serve as a physical testing ground, as well as for industrial uses,” said the Ministry.

In addition, the establishment of the valley will enable the promotion of innovation and groundbreaking research and development by demonstrating technologies in the valley. In this way, the valley will create a “bridge” for the promotion of technologies and the assimilation of innovation in the field of energy in general and hydrogen in particular.

The Ministry expects that the establishment of the Valley will create ground for international collaborations in the field of hydrogen and energy innovation, and will be the basis for an infrastructure of regional connectivity in the field of hydrogen and energy.

Jerusalem, 15 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is currently completing the tender process for conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which aims to examine the integration of renewable energy technologies and climate solutions in Israel’s maritime space, and to establish national knowledge that will support a policy for sustainable maritime development.

The assessment will examine the suitability of advanced technologies for application in the Mediterranean Sea, including renewable energy production from waves and currents, wind and solar, energy storage technologies, green hydrogen production, marine biomass cultivation, heat exchange, as well as solutions for carbon capture in the marine space. The work will include mapping the relevant technologies in Israel and their technological maturity, examining economic, environmental and social feasibility, identifying optimal areas for the establishment of marine facilities, and formulating recommendations regarding development policy, planning, regulatory guidelines and monitoring at sea.

The tender was won by the National Center for the Blue Economy, established and operating under HiCenter Ventures in Haifa, which will conduct the survey over the course of about a year and a half, accompanied by a broad steering committee and a committee of experts headed by the ministry.

The SEA is a common tool in developed countries, used to design national plans for the sustainable management of natural resources. The survey results will provide the Ministry with a professional, data-based infrastructure for making decisions regarding the development and management of the marine space, while strengthening the sector’s contribution to meeting Israel’s climate goals and ensuring a balance between the needs of the economy, the environment and the public.

Jerusalem, 10 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure published what it called a “groundbreaking” report, indicating that after 50 years it is time to move on from the old solar water heaters and switch to innovative photovoltaic systems and heat pumps, which, with an investment of up to 4,500 Shekels ($1,3900), will lead to a reduction in the cost of living, savings of 500-1,500 per year for households, an economic benefit of approximately 3.3 billion Shekels ($1 billion) in the future, and increased distributive justice among the tenants of shared buildings.

The report recommends mandating these technologies in new construction, along with promoting incentives to promote the issue in existing construction.

The existing regulations, which require the installation of solar water heaters since the early 1980s, have brought impressive benefits to the energy sector over the past 50 years and placed Israel at the forefront of the world in the use of solar energy. Today, about 85% of households enjoy the benefits of solar water heaters and together save about 5% of the total annual electricity consumption in Israel.

Jerusalem, 10 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is preparing to ensure electricity and water supply during Storm Byron, which is expected to cause flooding throughout the country.

To that end, representatives of the Electricity Authority, the Water Authority, the “Nega” company, as well as professionals from the Office of the Senior Emergency Division, Information Security and Cyber, the Natural Gas Authority, the Sustainable Energy Division, the Fuel and Gas Administration, the Natural Resources Administration, and more participated in the assessment of the situation. Each of the bodies presented its preparations for the stormy weather, emphasizing ensuring functional continuity and a proper supply of electricity and water to the public.

As part of the situation assessment, the operating plan for the energy sector during the storm was also presented, including an analysis of existing reserves, in order to avoid expected disruptions in the supply of electricity and water.

As Storm Byron advances, the Israel Meteorological Service issued an “Early Red Warning” that will begin tonight at 10:00 PM and remains in effect for 24 hours.

Flooding is expected in the central and southern coastal plains as 100-150 mm of rain is expected to fall.

Jerusalem, 30 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Fuel and Gas Administration in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced that at midnight between Sunday and Monday (November 30-December 1, 2025), the prices of fuel products that are under supervision and sold to consumers at gas stations will be updated.

The maximum price per liter of unleaded 95 octane gasoline for the consumer at a self-service station (including VAT) will not exceed 7.11 Shekels ($2.15) per liter, an increase of 0.04 Shekels from the previous update. The surcharge for full service will be 0.25 Shekels per liter (including VAT), unchanged from the previous update.