Last Updated on November 10, 2021
How much does electricity cost in Israel?
Hebrew: כמה עולה חשמל בישראל
Hevrat HaHashmal – The Israel Electric Corporation – Heb: חברת החשמל oversees the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Israel.
Two different electricity rates, 2 different meters
There are two types of electricity tariffs in Israel; a flat rate and a variable rate and these rates refer to household/residential electricity rates and not commercial electricity rates.
You can elect the rate you wish to pay your electricity and this is done by contacting the Israel Electric Company (IEC) – Hevrat HaHashmal – by calling 103 from your phone. Follow the instructions on the automated answering machine and once you have reached a customer service rep, you need to verify the rate you are paying for electricity.
A different meter, measuring your electricity consumption, is required for each different rate.
According to Hevrat HaHashmal most homes are paying a flat rate. Some of our readers told us that they save around 25 per cent on their bill by opting for the variable rate and operating their appliances during the low rate period.
When you opt for the variable rate, you will be charged according to the following:
Daily, seasonal and weekday electricity rates
Electricity is supplied via three different daily electricity rates and tariffs: Peak, regular and low
There are seasonal rates: Summer rate, winter rate and a spring and autumn rate
Other rates: Weekday rates, Friday and holiday eve rates and a Shabbat (Friday eve to Saturday eve) and Chag (Jewish festival) rate
| Season | Months | Rate | Days & Times | ||
| Sunday – Thursday | Friday & Erev Chag | Shabbat & Chag | |||
| Summer | July – August | Peak
High Low |
10:00 – 17:00
07:00 – 10:00 & 17:00 – 21:00 21:00 – 24:00 & 00:00 – 07:00 |
—
— 00:00 – 24:00 |
—
— 00:00 – 24:00 |
| Winter | December – February | Peak
High Low |
16:00 – 22:00
06:00 – 08:00 00:00 – 06:00, 08:00 – 16:00 & 22:00 – 24:00 |
—
16:00 – 20:00 20:00 – 24:00 & 00:00 – 16:00 |
17:00 – 19:00
19:00 – 21:00 00:00 -17:00 & 21:00 – 24:00 |
| Spring & Autumn | March – June
September – November |
Peak
High Low |
06:00 – 20:00
20:00 – 22:00 22:00 – 24:00 & 00:00 – 06:00 |
—
06:00 – 20:00 20:00 – 24:00 & 00:00 – 06:00 |
—
17:00 – 21:00 00:00 – 17:00 & 21:00 – 24:00 |
Saving Electricity
You need to be pretty disciplined and stick to this table in order to save electricity and it may not always be convenient to do your laundry and operate your dishwasher at 9pm at night (the lowest summer rate) for example – if you opt for the variable rate, a different meter will have to be installed. Hevrat HaHashmal has certain regulations regarding the installation of the new meter; you need to pay the price of the meter, installation costs and disconnection fees should you wish to revert back to the flat rate at a later time. Hevrat HaHashmal have certain restrictions and limitations with the variable rate plan; you have to commit to the variable rate for a minimum of 2 years and should you revert back to a flat rate, you cannot reapply for the variable rate in the future.
- Hebrew English translation of the monthly electricity bill
- Paying you electricity bill online – an easy way
- Hebrew English translation of the IEC automated answering machine
- Are you entitled to an electricity discount?
- Tips for saving electricity in Israel’s winter months
Prepaid Electricity
The third option is prepaid electricity which also requires the installation of a special meter in your home. This is particularly convenient if you are a landlord and wish to ensure that your tenant does not leave or abscond without paying their electricity bill.
What are the current electricity rates?
The current electricity rates can be accessed (in Hebrew only) on the Israel Electric Corporation website
Who was Pinhas Rutenberg?
Did you know that Pinhas Rutenberg, a Russian-born Zionist, businessman, and Jewish Nationalist during WWI, was among the founders of the Jewish Legion and of the American Jewish Congress. Through his connections in Palestine, he managed to obtain a concession for production and distribution of electric power and founded the Palestine Electric Company, now the Israel Electric Corporation. Among other things, Rutenberg also participated in establishing the Haganah and also founded Palestine Airways. Visit the Rutenberg Institute in Haifa to find out more about him.
