(English version of Globes article, published in print on May 26th).
It’s been almost 5 months since I have adopted the new position of “ex-VC”. Amazing as it seems, there is an entire universe out there, which I have been actively exploring. But this past week, I spent quite a bit of time hanging out in the same places that I used to, as it is clearly conference season.
From all of the events, I would like to discuss some thoughts following presentations by Al Gore and National Infrastructure Minister MK Binyamin Ben Eliezer. This was the second time that I was privileged to hear Al Gore present the “inconvenient truth”. First time was back in December 2005, when I was a co-sponsor for his Stanford event.
It is difficult to remain indifferent to the compelling data and reality of the world in which we are living. Of course, it is important to change our behavior, adopting energy efficient lighting, driving fuel efficient vehicles and conserving water. But what makes real impact is public policy. Just see what’s happening in Spain and German both adopted aggressive programs encouraging PV installation for private and public electricity generation. What about Israel?
I am puzzled by Ben Eliezer’s statements at the TAU Energy conference with regards to the ministry’s immediate plans. The focus being reducing electricity demand, by increasing tariffs to homes during peak hours, as well as building the disputed coal power plant in Ashqelon (even if “cleaner” technologies will be adopted). Ben Eliezer did announce a new renewable energy plan stating that by 2020, 20% of Israel’s electricity will be produced from renewable sources, but we all know how long these plans have been discussed, and how long will it be before they will be implemented.
Tachles, today we have solar water heaters, old news. We are behind, so very, very behind). I did not hear mention of incentives for installation solar panels like California, adoption of carbon taxes like Norway, nor aggressive feed-in tariffs like Spain or higher taxes for gas guzzling SUV’s, as in China. I sit here in bewilderment. You would think that given Israel’s political reality, there would be no country in the world with a stronger motivation to move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy
However, the entrepreneurial community is not standing still. It seems that every other person with whom I meet, seeks their next opportunity within the Cleantech world. Innovation and entrepreneurial culture, combined with management abilities, financial backing and this country’s reality, position Cleantech as the next growth opportunity for Israel.
There are skeptics that think we’re in a Cleantech bubble. But just look at the state of our Kineret, or check out “Global Warming” on Wikipedia.. The climate crisis is very real, and big. We have yet to see the “Google of Water”, nor the “Cisco of Solar”. There is a real opportunity for Israeli companies here, where not only can we make a difference, but be handsomely rewarded while doing so. Let’s get to work!
We all knew if was being discussed. We knew there were major objections and obstacles, and we knew it was near, so, so near, but FINALLY it is here! Of course, I’m referring to the official approved solar feed-in tarrif or 2.01 NIS/kWh, which ~4x the current price of electricity here in Israel.
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