This evening, the socio-economic cabinet, headed by Minister of Finance, Roni Bar-On, approved the proposal of the National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin (Fouad) Ben Eliezer, to enhance energy efficiency – based on a comprehensive plan that will produce savings of 20% in expected electricity consumption by 2020, in line with the target set by the government.
Approval of proposal to increase energy conservation in Israel
Ministers Bar-On and Ben Eliezer:
A Real Message for the Environment and Savings of Billions for the Economy
For the first time, the country will invest in a comprehensive plan for the reduction of electricity consumption, in order to cut down on the construction of electricity production facilities in the future, and to promote environmental values
The Committee of Director Generals, headed by National Infrastructures Ministry Director General Hezi Kugler, will monitor progress made with the program. Every year, from 2009, the gradual decrease in electricity consumption will be measured, in order to achieve the final target – a saving of over 16 billion kilowatts/hour.
In order to ensure the country’s energy security, and to fulfill commitments to place Israel at the forefront of countries that are working to alleviate the results of climatic change, Ministers Bar-On and Ben Eliezer have defined the streamlining of energy efficiency as a top priority area of activity.
"The efficiency plan that was approved today, together with the increased use of alternative sources of energy, will lead to the revolution we are seeking in our energy sector," said Minister Binyamin (Fouad) Ben Eliezer at the end of the cabinet meeting. "Today’s decision places us among the front ranks of the most developed countries in the Western world. There is now an understanding, in the whole world and in particular in Israel, that the protection of planet Earth is in everyone’s interest."
Minister of Finance Roni Bar-On said that the plan will produce savings of billions of shekels, which will be redirected to maintaining investments, consumption and savings in the economy, all with a view to advancing environmental objectives and strengthening the green economy.
The efficiency plan will address problems of demand; in other words, it will focus on activities designed to reduce consumption or increase consumption efficiency, which will allow better utilization of existing output. Recently, with the dramatic rise in fuel prices, and the increasing awareness of the state of the climate and the side effects of climatic change, countries have begun to pay attention to energy conservation – either for energy security purposes or with a view to protecting the environment.
Main Steps in the Electricity Consumption Revolution
· Saving energy in every home in Israel
The program includes assisting households and small businesses to assess domestic consumption, replace inefficient equipment that does make efficient usage of energy, and upgrade air conditioning and lighting systems.
· Government buildings will be built according to green construction standards
The government and local authorities sector will set an example, and will be the first to make energy savings. Each government ministry must devise a plan for meeting the savings targets, where any sums saved will be retained by the units. From today, all designs of new government facilities will have to meet the Israeli standard for green construction. As of 2012, government ministries will be obligated to prioritize use of buildings that comply with this standard.
· Setting an energy efficiency standard for a wide range of electrical appliances
Periodic raising of the minimum efficiency level for washing machines, dryers, dish washers, ovens and chillers; setting an energy efficiency standard and prohibiting import of inefficient products.
· PR campaign for intelligent use of electricity
The Ministry of National Infrastructures, together with the Israeli Governmental Advertising site, will prepare a multi-year plan for promoting the issue, in order to educate the public on how to make efficient and cost-saving use of electrical appliances.
· Establishing an energy efficiency fund
The fund will provide loans for energy efficiency projects, by means of energy service companies that will provide energy conservation advice and services.