Local authorities in Israel consume an average of 210 kilowatt hours per resident per year, according to a new report published by the Energy Ministry on Monday.
However, the report said, there were over 30 local authorities are more efficient and consumed under 30 kilowatt hours per hour per resident per year on average.
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The report's data is based on questionnaires filled out by each local authority that focused on two main parameters: how much electricity each authority consumes per resident on average, and their total electricity consumption for outdoor lighting per square kilometers. The reports offer local authorities an opportunity to map their electricity consumption and make decisions that could help them save energy.
This year, 75% of local authorities submitted reports on their electricity consumption, compared to 65% last year.
What uses the most electricity in local authorities? According to the report, 50% of electricity goes to streetlights, another 30% to schools, and the rest is used by public buildings.
If local authorities take action to save energy, they could cut their electricity consumption by 20%, freeing up the money that goes to pay the light bill for other uses. The Ashkelon Municipality has found ways to cut its electricity consumption by 30% by using grants from the Energy Ministry and a grants from a joint fund run by the energy, economy, and environmental protection ministries. The city used the money to replace its outdoor lighting with energy-efficient lighting and install systems to manage energy usage and upgrade lighting and climate control (heat and air conditioning) in municipal buildings.
"Comparing data about energy consumption for every resident of local authorities is vital to making the energy market more efficient and finding more efficient and less polluting alternatives," said Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.
Meanwhile, on Monday Steinitz convened for the first time a team of government ministry directors-general that is charged with promoting solar energy. The team, which was established following a cabinet decision to raise Israel's solar energy production to 30% by 2030, is headed by Energy Ministry Director-General Udi Adiri.
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