Even with the government’s decision in 2015 to begin phasing out coal burning in its electricity sector by 15% in 2016 (with actual cutbacks reaching 17%) and by a further 5% this year, filling that void with gas is a more gradual and time-consuming process.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz says that Israel is looking to reduce the use of coal within the energy mix to 10% by 2025. He says this will be achieved once four coal units at the power station at Hadera are shut down and replaced by natural gas power plants, as well as operating the remaining coal units at minimum capacity. (CONTINUED - 232 WORDS)