Silman opposed, the government advanced: A new power station in Ashdod

The government approved the advancement of a new gas-fired power station in Ashdod, despite opposition from the Ministry of Environmental Protection headed by Idit Silman. Meanwhile, a similar plan in Palmachim was temporarily halted following opposition from the Gan Raveh Regional Council. The Yavne Municipality announced legal proceedings against the Ashdod plan.

The government cleared the way for planning a new gas-fired power station in Ashdod, despite opposition from the Ministry of Environmental Protection headed by Idit Silman. The ministry's professional staff recommended Silman oppose it due to the existing environmental burden in Ashdod's northern industrial zone, which already houses a refinery, four power stations generating nearly 2,000 megawatts, industrial and chemical plants, seaports, fuel depots, and other infrastructure. According to 2024 emissions registry data, the area has the highest emissions of volatile organic compounds in Israel and ranks second in emissions of nitrogen oxides and carcinogens. The ministry warned that adding a fossil-fuel station could worsen air quality and hinder meeting the national plan's targets for reducing air pollution in Ashdod. Concurrently, a similar plan for a power station with at least 630 megawatts capacity in the Palmachim industrial park was removed from the agenda after opposition from the Gan Raveh Regional Council headed by Mira Ben Ari, who learned of the proposal less than a day before the discussion. Minister Silman and her ministry's professionals also opposed this plan, arguing there was insufficient information on the need for additional fossil-fuel stations. The Yavne Municipality announced legal proceedings against the Ashdod plan.