Cabinet okays $5.048b. in future renewable installations, Big Pockets Mean More Jobs
By SHARON UDASIN
Ten percent or $660.8m. of systems slated for W. Bank; green organizations praise decision, but say much more must be done.
After postponing a vote for two weeks on significant amendments to the current renewable energy regulations, the cabinet approved on Sunday a set of new measures that will allow for the investment of over $5.048 billion in future renewable installations, with 10 percent of these systems designated specifically for the West Bank.
Within the new regulations, the government will institute a quota of 460 megawatts for large solar fields, an additional 110 megawatts for small solar rooftop panels – 20 to be added in 2011, 30 in 2012, 30 in 2013 and 30 in 2014 – as well as 800 megawatts for wind power and 210 for biofuels, with no new additions to the current 300 megawatts allotted for medium-sized solar fields. Meanwhile, 10% of each of these caps – including from the original quota on medium fields – will be allocated specifically to Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria, in a gesture that a spokesman for National Infrastructures Minister Dr. Uzi Landau had likened to “affirmative action” on Thursday
