The cabinet today increased the electricity production quota of rooftop solar energy facilities by 110 megawatts. It also set generous production quotas for biomass and wind energy facilities. The approval, part of the government's 2020 renewable energy program, came after months of wrangling. The cabinet set an interim goal of 1,550 megawatts electricity production by renewable sources at the end of 2014, and a target of 2,760 megawatts by the end of 2020.
Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau said, "The task is not complete, despite the security and certainty that today's decision provides. We will continue to promote every megawatt of renewable energy and help every entrepreneur so that Israel will meet the target of 10% of its energy coming from renewable sources by 2020."
In the first stage, by 2014, solar energy production by all type of facilities is capped at 1,430 megawatts, wind energy production is capped at 830 megawatts, and production by biogas, biomass, and waste is capped at 210 megawatts.
The cabinet also decided in principle to immediately lift the 460-megawatt quota of large solar farms. The quota is less than the original quota of 500 megawatts. Electricity rates were kept unchanged.
The increase in the small (up to 50-kilowatt photovoltaic) rooftop facilities over four years: an additional 20 megawatts in 2011, and 30 megawatts a year in 2012-14, for a total of 110 megawatts. Biogas facilities received an extra quota of 160 megawatts, biomass and waste facilities received an additional 50 megawatts, wind farms received an additional 800 megawatts, and new technologies received 50 megawatts in 2012-15. The cabinet also allocated NIS 10 million to Ministry of National Infrastructures' chief scientist for the development of facilities that incorporate innovative technologies.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 17, 2011
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