Energy minister: We will pause natural gas exploration, focus on renewable energy

Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter

Energy Minister Karine Elharrar during a meeting of the Arrangements Committee at the Knesset on June 9, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
Energy Minister Karine Elharrar during a meeting of the Arrangements Committee at the Knesset on June 9, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Energy Minister Karine Elharrar announces that “gas can wait” and that she will not accept the recommendations of the former ministry director general, Ehud Adiri, to continue exploring for natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking at the ninth Eilat Eilot Renewable Energy Conference in Eilat, Elharrar also announces that the Energy Ministry will be setting up a unit for renewable energy for the first time.

2022 will be the “year of renewable energy,” she pledges.

“In the coming year, we will focus on the future, on green energy, on energy saving, and while we’re doing that, we’ll put to one side the issue of expanding the development of natural gas which, as we know, is a transition fuel,” she says.

“In the coming year, the Energy Ministry will not adopt the conclusions of the natural gas policy review report and will not embark on the fourth stage of granting licenses for natural gas exploration.”

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.