Sharon Hatzor, Deputy Director of Policy and Strategy Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure

“Israel is one of the leaders in the world in terms of solar energy per person and area, and this gives us great relative advantages,” adds the person who founded the strategy unit in the ministry six years ago, and since then accompanies international projects, initiatives in the field of renewable energy and the implementation of new technologies in the Israeli economy.

“Already today, Israel is a leader in the dual use of solar energy along with other applications, and there is great potential in the future,” Hazor describes. “For example, the production of solar energy above agricultural areas. Many of the water reservoirs are already covered with solar panels. This year we launched the ‘One Thousand Roofs’ program, which allows people to install solar systems on the roof of their house. Even in new construction, the obligation to install a solar system as part of the building itself applies.”

“In my work,” Hazor adds, “I always think about what will be needed in 20-30 years, and then I ask myself what actions I need to take today to make it happen in the future. And I don’t think we are that far from that.”

changing the world

Hazor also adds that the industry is switching to electricity. “In the end, energy is the basis of modern life. You know, you mentioned the war and all the time they were talking about an economic risk to the economy in case of damage to energy infrastructure.”

Between the Netherlands and Singapore

The change Hazor is talking about in the field of energy does not only concern the home consumer, but also other areas, such as automobiles and transportation. “We are trying to understand what the market in Israel will look like in the field: electricity? Hydrogen? A combination of the two? Currently, most of the investments are focused on the electric vehicle. At the same time, there are investments in hydrogen, mainly in heavy transportation such as trains and buses. In general, the story in energy is diversification. We strive to create enabling regulation, financing for pilots and preparation of the Israeli economy, to enable rapid adoption of new technologies.”

“The market for renewable energies in Israel is growing, and it also generates a lot of money. Israeli companies also operate abroad. Recently, about a year ago, we opened the electricity sector to competition, private suppliers entered, and this increases the economic potential and growth of the sector. The vision is to bring Israel to a situation where it is connected to regional energy, promotes innovation, is decentralized in terms of energy production and prepares for a future of greater demands.”