Israeli-German Energy Partnership

In 2023, one year after its signing, the Israeli-German Energy Partnership  has rapidly grown in momentum, implementing a myriad of activities and creating tangible impacts. 

Flexibility as a necessity  

To reach its climate goals, Israel has set an ambitious objective to elevate its renewable energy production from around 10% today to an impressive 30% by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is critical to adapt the energy grid to seamlessly handle the increased load and volatility inherent to renewable energy sources. 

In June, the Israeli-German Energy Partnership hosted an expert trip to Berlin and Leipzig which brought together high-level representatives from Israel’s energy sector with German experts to jointly address these complex issues. The knowledge exchanged during this experience empowered Israeli policymakers to formulate groundbreaking guidelines on net flexibility. This strategic move enables the integration of an additional 2.5 GW of renewable energy into the Israeli grid, and marks a significant achievement. 

The first hydrogen strategy for Israel 

(Green) hydrogen is a central focus in Germany's global energy diplomacy and a dynamic theme in the Israeli-German Energy Partnership. At the beginning of 2023, Israel had no comprehensive hydrogen policy and minimal engagement with the topic. Yet, due to joint activities, a paradigm shift was attained: In March, the partnership hosted a series of professional workshops and a high-level expert trip of political decision makers to Germany, focussing on hydrogen production methods, safety requirements, and the potential repurposing of natural gas infrastructure. 

This collaborative endeavour aimed not only to explore possibilities for enhanced cooperation between Germany and Israel but also to leverage the unique strengths of each nation towards shared objectives in the dynamic field of hydrogen. It manifested in Israel's release of its inaugural hydrogen policy in May and its efforts to establish hydrogen valleys in Israel—concrete testaments to the substantial strides made possible by the Israeli-German Energy Partnership’s activities.  

This impactful collaboration not only propels Israel closer to achieving its renewable energy goals but also serves as a beacon of international cooperation in advancing sustainable energy solutions for a greener, more resilient future. 

Cybersecurity: Learning from the Masters 

The digitalisation of energy systems heightens their susceptibility to cyber threats. Israel, a global leader in cybersecurity, offers Germany invaluable expertise in this field. 

The cooperative efforts of the Israeli-German Energy Partnership encompasses deliberations on smart meter gateways and security by design. Plans are underway to reciprocally “test hack” the hard- and software of each other’s energy components. 

Moreover, the Israeli-German Energy Partnership has facilitated the establishment of a platform for key personnel of both countries to discuss cyber-attacks on critical energy infrastructure and related enterprises in real time.