Gas is a byproduct of the decomposition of organic matter. It is found in underground strata referred to as “Source Rock”. The organic material originated in plants and animals, which sank to the seabed or lake bed. where they gradually were buried under organic matter and other sediments at great depths. Once it is buried, the organic matter starts undergoing chemical and physical transformation, which create a “biogenic” natural gas, consisting primarily of methane (methane, CH4).
Electricity generation from other sources of energy, such as coal and fossil fuels (Diesel fuel, for example) causes great environmental damage. Large quantities of polluting aerosols are emitted in the process.
The entire world is in transition toward generating electricity from coal and Diesel fuel substitutes, where the leading substitute is natural gas.
Natural gas is considered a clean, efficient source for generating energy. It allows electricity to be generated more cheaply and it drastically reduces pollutant emissions in the process.
Natural gas fields were discovered in Israel in 1999, 2009, 2010 and 2013, capable of supplying the entire country’s energy consumption for decades to come. A government decision in principle was therefore taken to convert the coal-powered power stations to cleaner stations, producing their electricity from natural gas.
In 2016 the Ministers of Energy and Environmental Protection reached a decision to shut down most of the Israel Electric Corporation’s coal-powered power stations in Hadera (Units 1-4) by 2022, replacing them with natural gas-powered generating units. The Minister of Energy also decided to substantially scale back the Israel Electric Corporation’s coal-powered power stations in Ashkelon by 2030.
At the same time, and in view of the growing demand for electricity, a decision was reached to construct new electricity generating units, to be operated using natural gas, allowing the generation of electricity in a far more efficient, cost-effective and cleaner process than their coal-powered predecessors.
In 1996, the Knesset passed the Electricity Market Law, which mandated that the electricity generating industry be opened up in order to do away with the Israel Electric Corporation’s monopoly in the electricity generating market. The law went on to say that the Corporation would cease to plan and build new power stations. This privatization is intended to streamline and lower the costs of generating electricity and, as a result – to reduce the electricity tariff and the cost of products in Israel, as had been the case in the telecommunications industry, with the privatization of the ports, and other industries.
The private investors are required to find the location for the power station, to bear all the risks involved in designing and developing the power station and finally – to finance, build and operate the station, subject to the existing restrictions and regulation.
The generated electricity from the private power stations is channeled into the national electricity transmission grid, which is controlled and operated by the Israel Electric Corporation, which is also responsible for transmitting the electricity as far as the consumers.
Most of the demand for energy is concentrated in central Israel, while most of the energy is generated in the north and south. This state of affairs creates anomalies, affects the reliability of the electricity supply, and increases the cost of using it.
The Eastern Station will be located far from residential areas at a distance greater than that required by the most stringent laws. There are many power stations close to and even inside built-up areas, both in Israel and around the world, only 300 (and sometimes even less) meters away from private homes. In the case of the Eastern Station, the distance is much greater from the nearest homes.
The power station adjoins the industrial zone according to the Regional Outline Plan (TMM 21/3). Besides, the authorities do not consider this specific area to be farmland due to the fact that it is encircled by main highways and since it is disturbed land with eclectic land uses such as: a marble sawing mill, gas station, dry waste sorting facility, temporary storage site for sand and dirt, and nurseries. The soil is in no condition for growing agricultural crops.
The site’s proximity to ultra high voltage lines and to the infrastructures corridor (gas) is a clear planning advantage. This close proximity to electricity and natural gas infrastructures will reduce the need for statutory planning of lengthy lines and for opening long new and existing infrastructure corridors.
The company is in regular contact with all the relevant security authorities and is fully coordinated with them. It is working to install the most stringent protections possible.
The power station is expected to comply with all the regulatory prerequisites and with all the most stringent environmental protection standards in accordance with the requirement to comply with the Best Available Technology and with the requirements of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The company has carried out an environmental impact review, which examines all of the environmental impacts. This review will be published on the Administration of Planning website after the company receives permission to submit the statutory plan for public scrutiny.
The power station will be powered by natural gas, which is environmentally friendly. Use of natural gas as the energy source substantially reduces potential air pollution. The station will not be powered by Diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is intended to enable the power station to continue operations only in emergencies plus for a handful of hours each year in order to test the station’s emergency readiness. The decision to switch to Diesel fuel power is not made by the managers or owners of the station. This is the exclusive domain of the Manager of the National Electricity Grid. It must be noted that the station will begin its operations to coincide with the start of operation of four natural gas fields (as opposed to the current state where only one gas field is in operation via a single coastal portal). This is expected to substantially reduce the likelihood of emergencies occurring necessitating the use of Diesel fuel.
The absence of any impact on the water supply, as well as the preventive measures which will be put in place to dispel any fear of negative impact, are presented in detail in the environmental impact review report. In this context, the process is similar to that which was followed during the construction of the wastewater treatment facility and with the approval of the fuel infrastructure corridor, which are both near the Eastern Station.
Prior to commencing the process of planning the power station with the planning authorities, the company performed a comprehensive scan for alternative sites, which was eventually approved by the National Infrastructures Committee
The first to profit from a gas-powered power station will be the citizens of the State of Israel, who will enjoy more efficient, less polluting energy generation. This will reduce morbidity and environmental damage and will lower the cost of living.
The company has been holding meetings with the representatives of the local population. The company will continue to meet with representatives of the public throughout the approval process for the Eastern Station.
Reindeer Energy Ltd. was founded and started operations in 2016 with the intention of building an electricity-generating power station using natural gas. The partners in the company are Itay Rochman, Moshe Krieger and Siemens.
Itay and Moshe are experienced in the field from previous roles they have fulfilled. Siemens is a multinational corporation, one of the largest in the world, specializing in manufacturing solutions for the transport, energy, electrical appliances, medical equipment industries, and more. Siemens is the largest engineering company in the world. It specializes in constructing power stations all over the world in compliance with the most stringent standards and at the highest level of efficiency available.