DOCSLIB.ORG

Assessment of Land Use Change Impact on Ecohydrological Parameters Using Remote Sensing in the Sub-Catchments of the Patish Watershed, Israel

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Assessment of Land Use Change Impact on Ecohydrological Parameters Using Remote Sensing in the Sub-Catchments of the Patish Watershed, Israel Assessment of Land Use Change Impact on Ecohydrological Parameters Using Remote Sensing in the Sub-Catchments of the Patish Watershed, Israel MSc Thesis by Bart de Jong August 2012 i | P a g e Assessment of Land Use Change Impact on Ecohydrological Parameters Using Remote Sensing in the Sub-Catchments of the Patish Watershed, Israel Master thesis Land Degradation and Development Group submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of Science in International Land and Water Management at Wageningen University, the Netherlands Study program: MSc International Land and Water Management (MIL) Student registration number: 860205-401-120 LDD 80336 Supervisors: Dr. Eli Argaman1 Dr. Saskia Keesstra2 Dr. Naftali Goldshleger1 Examinator: Dr. ir. M.J.P.M. Riksen, Dr. S.D. Keesstra Date: August 2012 1 Soil Erosion Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Israel 2 Wageningen University, Land Degradation and Development Group ii | P a g e Abstract De Jong, B. 2012. Assessment of Land Use Change Impact on Ecohydrological Parameters Using Remote Sensing in the Sub-Catchments of the Patish Watershed, Israel. MSc. Thesis. Land Degradation and Development Group, Wageningen University. Discharge measurements in the Patish watershed in the Northern Negev region in Israel show a low stream flow, which cannot be explained by hydrological modelling. One hypothesis is that low discharge is caused by changes in land use in the watershed, which influence the rainfall/runoff ratio. This hypothesis was tested by assessing the impact of land use change on Ecohydrological parameters. Change in land use is determined by analysing Landsat images using Definiens®. Soil Ecohydrological properties were derived by field experiments, and taking samples to be analysed in the laboratory. Rainfall records were collected, and investigated for possible trends. Land use was analysed using three classes: natural, agricultural and urban. The class of natural open area decreased from almost 70% of the area to just more than 50%. Agricultural area increased from almost 30% to almost 40%, and the urban class increased from 5% to 10% of the area. In some natural areas forest with terraces and limans is established, but these developments could not be distinguished in the Remote Sensing analysis. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was found higher for the agricultural area. Rainfall shows a high variability, both temporal and spatial. Trend lines derived were horizontal or slightly decreasing, though uncertainty is high. The hypothesis could not be confirmed. Developments in the Patish watershed could decrease runoff, especially the increase in agricultural and afforested area. But with current data available they do not explain for the low amounts of runoff observed. Therefore more quantitative research is recommended. Land cover change / Semi-arid area / Israel / Remote Sensing / Ecohydrological parameters iii | P a g e Acknowledgements Much gratitude is owed to the Soil Erosion Research Station (SERS) in Midreshet Ruppin, Israel. Thanks for their support in means of time, equipment, transport, knowledge and in various other practical issues. But also many thanks for their company, their willingness to help me, and all the nice lunches I could join (not to forget the barbeque). And for showing me the beautiful country of Israel. Especially I want to thank my supervisors in Israel; Dr. Eli Argaman and Dr. Naftali Goldshlager. Thanks to Eli for his advices, for stimulating me, and for all the knowledge he shared with me. Thanks for reviewing my thesis, and for giving me feedback on the various versions. And also for all his practical support and his friendship. Thanks to Naftali for involving me in his project, for all the time he spent with me, and for all other types of support. Thanks to all the technicians, to the ladies in the office, to the other scientists, and all the other people who have been so kind to me. Especially thanks to Roee BB, who was like a friend to me. Thanks to my supervisor in Wageningen; Dr. Saskia Keesstra. Thanks for your help, your input, and sorry for my lack of communication. And thanks to Dr. Michel Riksen, who helped and encouraged me in the last part of my research. Also thanks for the valuable feedback given on the draft of my thesis. And I would like to thank Pieter Slim, who continued to be interested in my research, and made much effort to help me finishing my work. I owe gratitude to the various persons who provided me with the meteorological data for the rainfall analysis; the Ben Gurion University and Gilat Research Farm who provided data on their website, and especially to Marc Perel from the Israel Meteorological Service, who provided data from their database. Thanks to family and friends, who supported me during the period of my research. And finally: thanks for all the patience of all the people I’ve let waiting for so long. iv | P a g e Contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... iv 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Research framework ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Problem statement ........................................................................................................ 2 1.2.2 Research Goal ................................................................................................................. 2 1.2.3 Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.4 Research question .......................................................................................................... 3 2. Theoretical background .................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Land Cover Change ................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Remote Sensing ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Field water cycle ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Ecohydrology........................................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Influence of Vegetation........................................................................................................... 7 2.6 Afforestation ........................................................................................................................... 8 2.7 Modelling the Effects of Land Use Change ............................................................................. 9 2.8 Ephemeral Streams ............................................................................................................... 10 2.9 Sampling of Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 11 2.10 Analysis of literature review ................................................................................................. 11 3. Methodology .................................................................................................................. 12 3.1 Research Area ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1 Geography .................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.2 Soil ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.1.3 Land use ....................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.4 Climate ......................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.5 Vegetation .................................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Workflow .............................................................................................................................. 14 3.3 Remote Sensing Analysis....................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Field Work ............................................................................................................................. 18 3.4.1 Dry bulk density ............................................................................................................ 20 3.4.2 Saturated hydraulic conductivity ................................................................................. 20 3.4.3 Biomass ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.4.4 Analysis of soil samples ................................................................................................ 21 3.5
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies
    Ben-Gurion University of the Negev The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research The Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Evolution of settlement typologies in rural Israel Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Science" By: Keren Shalev November, 2016 “Human settlements are a product of their community. They are the most truthful expression of a community’s structure, its expectations, dreams and achievements. A settlement is but a symbol of the community and the essence of its creation. ”D. Bar Or” ~ III ~ תקציר למשבר הדיור בישראל השלכות מרחיקות לכת הן על המרחב העירוני והן על המרחב הכפרי אשר עובר תהליכי עיור מואצים בעשורים האחרונים. ישובים כפריים כגון קיבוצים ומושבים אשר התבססו בעבר בעיקר על חקלאות, מאבדים מאופיים הכפרי ומייחודם המקורי ומקבלים צביון עירוני יותר. נופי המרחב הכפרי הישראלי נעלמים ומפנים מקום לשכונות הרחבה פרבריות סמי- עירוניות, בעוד זהותה ודמותה הייחודית של ישראל הכפרית משתנה ללא היכר. תופעת העיור המואץ משפיעה לא רק על נופים כפריים, אלא במידה רבה גם על מרחבים עירוניים המפתחים שכונות פרבריות עם בתים צמודי קרקע על מנת להתחרות בכוח המשיכה של ישובים כפריים ולמשוך משפחות צעירות חזקות. כתוצאה מכך, סובלים המרחבים העירוניים, הסמי עירוניים והכפריים מאובדן המבנה והזהות המקוריים שלהם והשוני ביניהם הולך ומיטשטש. על אף שהנושא מעלה לא מעט סוגיות תכנוניות חשובות ונחקר רבות בעולם, מעט מאד מחקר נעשה בנושא בישראל. מחקר מקומי אשר בוחן את תהליכי העיור של המרחב הכפרי דרך ההיסטוריה והתרבות המקומית ולוקח בחשבון את התנאים המקומיים המשתנים, מאפשר התבוננות ואבחנה מדויקים יותר על ההשלכות מרחיקות הלכת. על מנת להתגבר על הבסיס המחקרי הדל בנושא, המחקר הנוכחי החל בבניית בסיס נתונים רחב של 84 ישובים כפריים (קיבוצים, מושבים וישובים קהילתיים( ומצייר תמונה כללית על תהליכי העיור של המרחב הכפרי ומאפייניה.
    [Show full text]
  • Return of Private Foundation
    l efile GRAPHIC p rint - DO NOT PROCESS As Filed Data - DLN: 93491015004014 Return of Private Foundation OMB No 1545-0052 Form 990 -PF or Section 4947( a)(1) Nonexempt Charitable Trust Treated as a Private Foundation Department of the Treasury 2012 Note . The foundation may be able to use a copy of this return to satisfy state reporting requirements Internal Revenue Service • . For calendar year 2012 , or tax year beginning 06 - 01-2012 , and ending 05-31-2013 Name of foundation A Employer identification number CENTURY 21 ASSOCIATES FOUNDATION INC 22-2412138 O/o RAYMOND GINDI ieiepnone number (see instructions) Number and street (or P 0 box number if mail is not delivered to street address) Room/suite U 22 CORTLANDT STREET Suite City or town, state, and ZIP code C If exemption application is pending, check here F NEW YORK, NY 10007 G Check all that apply r'Initial return r'Initial return of a former public charity D 1. Foreign organizations, check here (- r-Final return r'Amended return 2. Foreign organizations meeting the 85% test, r Address change r'Name change check here and attach computation H Check type of organization FSection 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation r'Section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust r'Other taxable private foundation J Accounting method F Cash F Accrual E If private foundation status was terminated I Fair market value of all assets at end und er section 507 ( b )( 1 )( A ), c hec k here F of y e a r (from Part 77, col. (c), Other (specify) _ F If the foundation is in a 60-month termination line 16)x$ 4,783,143
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Annual Report
    Dear Friends We are proud to present you with NATAL's 2016 Annual Report. This report covers all activities over the last year within every unit, including relevant data, trends, special events and more. It is a great opportunity for us to extend our thanks to all of NATAL's staff, therapists, and volunteers who have all done some very impressive work and continue to exhibit great professionalism and commitment to NATAL's mission. Over the past year the wave of terror attacks which began as indiscriminate stabbings across the country grew to include two serious shootings in central Tel Aviv and claimed the lives of many civilians, while simultaneously leaving many more wounded both in body and soul. During these times NATAL operated within its emergency mode, with the Helpline operating 24/7 in order to answer the great influx of callers seeking support. At the same time we unveiled NATAL's new online chat service which similar to the Helpline, is operated by a group of dedicated and trained volunteers. This year NATAL established its first Public Advisory Board, led by former IDF Chief of Staff, Major General (Res) Benny Gantz. The board includes prominent Israeli public figures, artists, journalists and representatives of students and youth in Israel. The purpose of the Public Advisory Board is to accompany NATAL as it continues to fulfill its mission within Israeli society, to help and raise awareness about the issue of trauma due to terror and war, and to support NATAL's position as a leading professional knowledge center in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bedouin Population in the Negev
    T The Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Bedouins h in the Negev have rarely been included in the Israeli public e discourse, even though they comprise around one-fourth B Bedouin e of the Negev’s population. Recently, however, political, d o economic and social changes have raised public awareness u i of this population group, as have the efforts to resolve the n TThehe BBedouinedouin PPopulationopulation status of the unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev, P Population o primarily through the Goldberg and Prawer Committees. p u These changing trends have exposed major shortcomings l a in information, facts and figures regarding the Arab- t i iinn tthehe NNegevegev o Bedouins in the Negev. The objective of this publication n The Abraham Fund Initiatives is to fill in this missing information and to portray a i in the n Building a Shared Future for Israel’s comprehensive picture of this population group. t Jewish and Arab Citizens h The first section, written by Arik Rudnitzky, describes e The Abraham Fund Initiatives is a non- the social, demographic and economic characteristics of N Negev profit organization that has been working e Bedouin society in the Negev and compares these to the g since 1989 to promote coexistence and Jewish population and the general Arab population in e equality among Israel’s Jewish and Arab v Israel. citizens. Named for the common ancestor of both Jews and Arabs, The Abraham In the second section, Dr. Thabet Abu Ras discusses social Fund Initiatives advances a cohesive, and demographic attributes in the context of government secure and just Israeli society by policy toward the Bedouin population with respect to promoting policies based on innovative economics, politics, land and settlement, decisive rulings social models, and by conducting large- of the High Court of Justice concerning the Bedouins and scale social change initiatives, advocacy the new political awakening in Bedouin society.
    [Show full text]
  • Rocument RESUME ED 045 767 UD 011 084 Education in Israel3
    rOCUMENT RESUME ED 045 767 UD 011 084 TITLE Education in Israel3 Report of the Select Subcommittee on Education... Ninety-First Congress, Second Session. INSTITUTION Congress of the U.S., Washington, E.C. House Ccmmittee on Education and Labcr. PUB DATE Aug 70 NOTE 237p. EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MP-$1.00 BC-$11.95 DESCRIPTORS Acculturation, Educational Needs, Educational Opportunities, *Educational Problems, *Educational Programs, Educational Resources, Ethnic Groups, *Ethnic Relations, Ncn Western Civilization, Research and Development Centers, *Research Projects IDENTIFIERS Committee On Education And Labor, Hebrew University, *Israel, Tel Aviv University ABSTRACT This Congressional Subcommittee report on education in Israel begins with a brief narrative of impressions on preschool programs, kibbutz, vocational programs, and compensatory programs. Although the members of the subcommittee do not want to make definitive judgments on the applicability of education in Israel to American needs, they are most favorably impressed by the great emphasis which the Israelis place on early childhood programs, vocational/technical education, and residential youth villages. The people of Israel are considered profoundly dedicated to the support of education at every level. The country works toward expansion of opportunities for education, based upon a belief that the educational system is the key to the resolution of major social problems. In the second part of the report, the detailed itinerary of the subcommittee is described with annotated comments about the places and persons visited. In the last part, appendixes describing in great depth characteristics of the Israeli education system (higher education in Israel, education and culture, and the kibbutz) are reprinted. (JW) [COMMITTEE PRINT] OF n.
    [Show full text]
  • Lazarus, Syrkin, Reznikoff, and Roth
    Diaspora and Zionism in Jewish American Literature Brandeis Series in American Jewish History,Culture, and Life Jonathan D. Sarna, Editor Sylvia Barack Fishman, Associate Editor Leon A. Jick, The Americanization of the Synagogue, – Sylvia Barack Fishman, editor, Follow My Footprints: Changing Images of Women in American Jewish Fiction Gerald Tulchinsky, Taking Root: The Origins of the Canadian Jewish Community Shalom Goldman, editor, Hebrew and the Bible in America: The First Two Centuries Marshall Sklare, Observing America’s Jews Reena Sigman Friedman, These Are Our Children: Jewish Orphanages in the United States, – Alan Silverstein, Alternatives to Assimilation: The Response of Reform Judaism to American Culture, – Jack Wertheimer, editor, The American Synagogue: A Sanctuary Transformed Sylvia Barack Fishman, A Breath of Life: Feminism in the American Jewish Community Diane Matza, editor, Sephardic-American Voices: Two Hundred Years of a Literary Legacy Joyce Antler, editor, Talking Back: Images of Jewish Women in American Popular Culture Jack Wertheimer, A People Divided: Judaism in Contemporary America Beth S. Wenger and Jeffrey Shandler, editors, Encounters with the “Holy Land”: Place, Past and Future in American Jewish Culture David Kaufman, Shul with a Pool: The “Synagogue-Center” in American Jewish History Roberta Rosenberg Farber and Chaim I. Waxman,editors, Jews in America: A Contemporary Reader Murray Friedman and Albert D. Chernin, editors, A Second Exodus: The American Movement to Free Soviet Jews Stephen J. Whitfield, In Search of American Jewish Culture Naomi W.Cohen, Jacob H. Schiff: A Study in American Jewish Leadership Barbara Kessel, Suddenly Jewish: Jews Raised as Gentiles Jonathan N. Barron and Eric Murphy Selinger, editors, Jewish American Poetry: Poems, Commentary, and Reflections Steven T.Rosenthal, Irreconcilable Differences: The Waning of the American Jewish Love Affair with Israel Pamela S.
    [Show full text]
  • Israeli Settler-Colonialism and Apartheid Over Palestine
    Metula Majdal Shams Abil al-Qamh ! Neve Ativ Misgav Am Yuval Nimrod ! Al-Sanbariyya Kfar Gil'adi ZZ Ma'ayan Baruch ! MM Ein Qiniyye ! Dan Sanir Israeli Settler-Colonialism and Apartheid over Palestine Al-Sanbariyya DD Al-Manshiyya ! Dafna ! Mas'ada ! Al-Khisas Khan Al-Duwayr ¥ Huneen Al-Zuq Al-tahtani ! ! ! HaGoshrim Al Mansoura Margaliot Kiryat !Shmona al-Madahel G GLazGzaGza!G G G ! Al Khalsa Buq'ata Ethnic Cleansing and Population Transfer (1948 – present) G GBeGit GHil!GlelG Gal-'A!bisiyya Menara G G G G G G G Odem Qaytiyya Kfar Szold In order to establish exclusive Jewish-Israeli control, Israel has carried out a policy of population transfer. By fostering Jewish G G G!G SG dGe NG ehemia G AGl-NGa'iGmaG G G immigration and settlements, and forcibly displacing indigenous Palestinians, Israel has changed the demographic composition of the ¥ G G G G G G G !Al-Dawwara El-Rom G G G G G GAmG ir country. Today, 70% of Palestinians are refugees and internally displaced persons and approximately one half of the people are in exile G G GKfGar GB!lGumG G G G G G G SGalihiya abroad. None of them are allowed to return. L e b a n o n Shamir U N D ii s e n g a g e m e n tt O b s e rr v a tt ii o n F o rr c e s Al Buwayziyya! NeoG t MG oGrdGecGhaGi G ! G G G!G G G G Al-Hamra G GAl-GZawG iyGa G G ! Khiyam Al Walid Forcible transfer of Palestinians continues until today, mainly in the Southern District (Beersheba Region), the historical, coastal G G G G GAl-GMuGftskhara ! G G G G G G G Lehavot HaBashan Palestinian towns ("mixed towns") and in the occupied West Bank, in particular in the Israeli-prolaimed “greater Jerusalem”, the Jordan G G G G G G G Merom Golan Yiftah G G G G G G G Valley and the southern Hebron District.
    [Show full text]
  • NBN Go South Garin Resource Packet
    GARIN RESOURCE PACKET GO SOUTH Dear Dreamer, We in the Nefesh B’Nefesh Go South program believe founding and developing garinim (seed communities) in southern Israel is of central importance for the region’s development. We have learned through experience the importance of creating human networks and microcommunities for the benefit of Olim and Israelis alike. Such support systems are integral to successful Aliyah. This comprehensive Garin Resource Packet, includes information on most aspects of garin life and the process of their development. We hope you will find the information in this packet beneficial, and that it will assist you to take the next step in your journey to the world of garinim in southern Israel. See you in the Negev! The Go South Team About Us.............................................................................................2 Glossary..............................................................................................6 Organizations that Will Help You...................................................10 How to Start or Join a Garin...........................................................12 The Negev in Numbers.....................................................................16 Incentives to Move South ..............................................................17 Highlighting Olim Garinim..............................................................18 Maps..................................................................................................19 ABOUT US Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation
    [Show full text]
  • The Gilat Woman, a Complex Representation of a Suite of Human Concerns
    The Gilat Woman, a complex representation of a suite of human concerns. Multiple layers of meaning yield insights into the nature of the socio-political and religious character of late prehistoric village society in the southern Levant. From Israeli and Tadmor (1986: fig.16). 8 NEAR EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY 64:1–2 (2001) OFFPRINT FROM NEAR EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY 64/1-2 (2001) www.asor.org/pubs/nea/ The “Gilat Woman” Female Iconography,Chalcolithic Cult,and the End of Southern Levantine Prehistory Alexander H.Joffe,J.P.Dessel and Rachel S.Hallote he relationship of women to changes in social power, pro- duction,and organization is a topic that has begun to engage archaeologists.Iconographic evidence in particular has been Tused to explore the roles and status of women in late pre- historic and early historic Western Asia (e.g., Gopher and Orelle 1996;Pollock 1991;Wright 1996).The renewed interest in figurines mirrors the larger issue of incorporating symbolism into archaeo- logical analyses, with particular emphasis on issues of gender and the individual (Bailey 1994;Hamilton et al.1996;Knapp and Meskell 1997;Robb 1998;cf.Talaly 1993). The “Gilat Woman,” one of the few examples of representative art from the fourth millennium Levant, has a notable place in such discussions (Alon 1976; 1977; Alon and Levy 1989; 1990; Amiran 1989;Fox 1995;Weippert 1998).Her significance in the context of local and pan-Near Eastern cult practices and competing notions of female “fertility” is the subject of this article. Unlike other inter- preters,we believe that the markings on the figurine’s body and her overall characteristics and provenance do not identify her as a “goddess” but rather with human concerns such as ceremonial life passages and/or highly specific aspects of “fertility.” Close study of the figurine and its comparative contexts also demonstrates the mul- The find spot of the Gilat Woman.
    [Show full text]
  • Infrastructure for Growth 2020 Government of Israel TABLE of CONTENTS
    Infrastructure for Growth 2020 Government of Israel TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: Acting Director-General, Prime Minister’s Office, Ronen Peretz ............................................ 3 Reader’s Guide ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Summary of infrastructure projects for the years 2020-2024 Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety ................................................................................................ 8 Ministry of Energy ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Ministry of Water Resources ....................................................................................................................... 38 Ministry of Finance ..................................................................................................................................... 48 Ministry of Defense .................................................................................................................................... 50 Ministry of Health ...................................................................................................................................... 53 Ministry of Environmental Protection ......................................................................................................... 57 Ministry of Education ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Milena Gošić Temples in the Ghassulian
    UDK: 903.7’16”636”(569.3-13+569.4+569.5-15) П 903.16”636”(569.3-13+569.4+569.5-15) DOI: 10.21301/.113.11 Milena Gošić Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade [email protected] Temples in the Ghassulian Culture: Terminology and social implications* Abstract: Archaeological discussions on prehistoric ritual are largely concerned with their material remains, including architectural debris. The first step in interpretati- on of such remains is their precise identification and categorization. There are numerous terms for objects and architectural remains that are widely utilized in the archaeological jargon, including, but not limited to, the terms temple, sanctuary and shrine. During almost a century of studying the Chalcolithic Ghassulian culture of the southern Le- vant, various architectural structures excavated at the sites of Teleilat Ghassul, Gilat and En Gedi have all been interpreted as temples, sanctuaries, or shrines – terms that in case of the Ghassulian culture are used as synonymous of temples. However, the actual architectural remains from these sites differ significantly and explicit definitions on what is meant by the terms used are rare. Apart from demonstrating the importance of properly defining a term in a context in which it is used, the aim of the present paper is to compare these various architectural remains, as well as various interpretations of Ghassulian society and the role the presumed temples played in them. This will be the basis for evaluating how classifying archaeological structures as temples has influenced interpretations of Ghassulian social organization. Keywords: temple, Chalcolithic, terminology, ritual, social complexity, Ghassulian, Levant.
    [Show full text]
  • The PUA English Report 2011-2012
    Editor: Nurit Felter-Eitan, Authority Secretary & Spokeswoman All information provided in this report is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute a legal act. The hebrew translation is the current and accurate information. Information in this report is subject to change without prior notice. Greetings, I am delighted to hereby present the Israel Public Utility Authority’s (Electricity) biennial activity report for the years 2012-2011. This report summarizes the Authority’s Assembly’s extensive and meticulous work, assisted by the Authority’s team of professional employees, over the past two years, signifying a turning point in the Israeli electricity and energy markets. Alongside a severe energy crisis that befell the electricity market in the past two years due to the discontinuation of natural gas supply from Egypt and the creation of a gas supply monopoly, these years have seen a historic change in the electricity market, commencing with the admission of private electricity entrepreneurship and clean electricity production in significant capacities (the Authority’s projection for private electricity production is 25% by 2016, and approximately 10% for electricity production using renewable energy by 2020). As a result of the natural gas crisis, which began in 2011 due to recurring explosions in the gas lines leading from Egypt to Israel, the Electricity Authority was faced with a reality that would have forced it to instantly and radically increase in the electricity tariffs for the Israeli consumers in 2012. These circumstances led the Authority to combine forces with government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and lead a comprehensive move which significantly restrained the tariff increase, and furthermore, relieved the electricity consumers’ burden in a manner that enabled spreading the tariff increase over three years.
    [Show full text]