Israel approves renewable energy plan

The Israeli government has approved a plan that will see 10% of the nation's energy sourced from renewables by the year 2020.

Under the new scheme, an increased use of biogas and solar panels will be used to generate 1,550MW by 2014, before this increases to 2,760MW by the end of 2020.

The first stage of the project will be developed between 2011 and 2014. During this time 800MW of wind capacity will be installed, along with 460MW from large installations, 210MW from biogas, biomass and waste materials, and 110MW from domestic installations.

The National Ministry has awarded $2.9 million (€2 million) in funding to help develop commercial-scale demonstration facilities in the country, while pilot plants using ground-breaking technology will generate 50MW.