In order to cope with the existing lack of available surplus of electricity and that expected for the years 2009-2011, the government of Israel decided in 2007, within the framework of decision #2293, to do whatever was required to close the gap between the electricity consumption needs of the Israeli market and the available generation capacity. IEC took upon itself to implement the emergency program and to add an additional 1,700 MW at an initial cost of eight-nine billion shekels