Energy Minister Karin Elharar instructed to prepare for the procedure for natural gas exploration

Half a year after declaring that "natural gas will wait", Energy Minister Karin Elharar instructed her office staff to prepare for the fourth competitive procedure for natural gas exploration in the State of Israel's economic waters. This was announced at a press conference held on Monday at the Ministry of Energy.
The Minister noted that the new directive stems from the war in Ukraine and its effects on the supply of natural gas to the European continent. She updated that she instructed the director of her office, Lior Shilat, to launch the fourth competitive procedure for exploring natural gas in the economic waters of the State of Israel.
Natural gas is considered less polluting than other fossil fuels, but many studies show that it contributes more to global warming. For this reason, the Minister of Energy announced in December 2021 that it would cease natural gas exploration, and focus on renewable energies that are considered more environmentally friendly. "In the future we will focus on green electricity, energy efficiency and renewable energies and while we do this we will put aside the business of expanding natural gas development, which is, as is well known, transitional fuel. In the coming year the Ministry of Energy will not adopt the conclusions Licenses for natural gas exploration, "the minister declared about six months ago.
The Minister explained that "the Russia-Ukraine war has in recent months illustrated the risks and prospects of energy availability and prices, in the period of transition from fossil fuels to green energy: on the one hand Europe's problematic dependence on Russia's oil and gas supplies and inability to meet energy needs Renewable energies based on existing technology Along with the sincere and genuine concern about what is happening in Europe, the global energy crisis is a huge opportunity for the State of Israel to export natural gas.
"Therefore, I then instructed the ministry to accelerate the strategic preparations for the fourth natural gas exploration process. And this morning, as you already know, I ordered the launch of the fourth competitive natural gas exploration process in the State of Israel's economic waters."
The Minister added that "the needs of the Israeli economy will always be given priority, even in view of the reserves required for years to come. Now, with the start of another procedure, Wednesday, of natural gas exploration and hopefully successful, we can increase production volumes and export blue-and-white natural gas to Europe." .
Director General of the Ministry of Energy, Lior Shilat: “The geopolitical events in the world, and the global energy crisis caused as a result, have completely changed the state of the energy market. Following this we began talks with our international counterparts, particularly in Europe, the United States and Egypt, in an attempt to understand their strategy in the face of the crisis.
"It is important to emphasize that we and the Europeans agree that the most important strategic move to overcome the crisis is in accelerating the development of renewable energies. However, the global need for natural gas in both the immediate and medium term cannot be ignored. "Enough alternative sources of natural gas are needed, some EU member states will have to go back and use coal to generate electricity. In addition, it is difficult to overstate the importance of natural gas in strengthening ties between Israel and Egypt and its impact on Israel's geopolitical status in the Middle East."
The President of the Manufacturers' Association and the Chairman of the Presidency of Employers and Businesses, Dr. Ron Tomer, welcomed the decision of the Minister of Energy, Karin Elharar, to go out to tender for new sources of natural gas off the coast of Israel, stating that "Another natural gas source, if found following the tender, will contribute to the stability of the Israeli energy economy and economy. It will increase Israel's energy independence, increase the certainty of entrepreneurs in the field of energy and strengthen the geopolitical status of the State of Israel as an influential factor."