In the intense geopolitical poker game in the Middle East, fossil fuels are the coveted chips. Israel and Iran, long-standing adversaries, are eyeing each other’s energy resources, with Iran threatening Israel’s gas field and Israel potentially targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure. But what if Israel could shift the game by decentralizing its energy grid and embracing renewables? This move could not only neutralize Iranian threats but also enhance Israel’s national security.
Fossil fuels have been both a blessing and a curse in the region, powering economies while sparking conflicts. The Leviathan gas field has made Israel an energy exporter but also a target. Embracing renewables, like solar panels and microgrids, could make Israel’s energy network more resilient and less susceptible to disruption.
Reduced Vulnerability for Enhanced Security
Decentralized energy reduces reliance on vulnerable infrastructure, ensuring critical services keep running even if the main grid fails. Diversifying energy sources also makes it harder for adversaries to disrupt supplies and reduces geopolitical leverage.
Government support and incentives are essential to drive renewable energy adoption and build partnerships for microgrid projects. While critics may doubt the reliability of renewables, the long-term benefits in security and sovereignty outweigh short-term challenges.
By proactively embracing decentralization and renewables, Israel can strengthen its position and thwart adversaries reliant on centralized systems. Sunlight could be Israel’s strategic asset, illuminating a path to greater security and resilience in a region marked by uncertainty.
The writer is the acting dean of the School of Sustainability and a co-founder of the Yannay Institute for Energy Security, Reichman University.
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