Seeking Clean Energy, Israel to Build Hundreds of Wind Turbines up North

Israel will build hundreds of wind turbines in the north of the country that will boost the country’s drive towards clean energy.

The Energy, Defense, and Finance Ministries, along with the Israel Electricity Authority signed a framework agreement on Tuesday to permit hundreds of wind turbines to be built in the country's north.

The three ministries will jointly fund the technological development at a cost of approximately NIS 250 million, which will enable the construction of the turbines, while maintaining the country’s security needs.

The agreement calls for the financing of the development of a technological solution that will enable the development of renewable energy and the establishment of wind turbine farms in the north.

Israel hopes to generate a higher percentage of its energy from renewable sources and is developing several other projects to ensure this, including a 240 meter (787-foot) tall solar tower in the south which can generate up to 121 megawatts of power, providing about one percent of Israel’s electricity consumption.

In April, the country set an all-time new record in the production of renewable energy with 1326 MW, accounting for 19.3 percent of the total production.

Israel was crowned as the leading force in 2014 in the development of clean technologies, beating 40 other countries.

Its renewable energy innovation has received global recognition, with innovative ideas such as converting wind into electricity, technologies for clean water and other inventions that stimulate a more energy-efficient economy.