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Israel Electric Corp. Boosts Energy Resilience with Domestic 3D-Printing of Power-Plant Parts
By Drooid · · How we work
New Domestic Manufacturing Initiative
The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has launched a program to produce essential power-plant components inside Israel using additive-manufacturing technology. The move responds to wartime conditions and global supply-chain disruptions that have made overseas procurement unreliable, aiming to cut dependence on foreign suppliers, shorten repair timelines, and reinforce the continuity of electricity generation.
Development History and Capabilities
IEC began exploring 3D-printing several years ago with polymer printers for research and prototyping. Today the utility operates multiple polymer printers at its Orot Rabin, Haifa and Rutenberg sites, plus a liquid-injection printer in Ashkelon capable of creating parts with complex internal cavities. The current focus is on metal printing, specifically steam-piping components made from a high-pressure, high-temperature steel alloy. Although the alloy-printing process remains in the research phase, IEC is collaborating with Israeli technology firms to build a local production capability and is in the process of registering a patent for a unique component originated by an IEC employee.
Cost and Time Projections
IEC estimates that ordering a single specialized part from an overseas manufacturer can take years and cost millions of dollars. By contrast, domestic production using metal powder or wire is projected to lower expenses to tens of thousands of shekels and reduce delivery times to several weeks.
Official Perspective
IEC Deputy CEO and Vice President of Generation and Energy Yossi Rofe describes the initiative as a strategic effort to strengthen Israel’s energy independence. He emphasizes that leveraging the Israeli technological ecosystem together with IEC engineers’ expertise will enhance operational continuity of power plants and reduce reliance on external sources. Rofe also highlights employee-driven innovation as a key driver of the program’s progress.
Anticipated Impact on Energy Security
If successful, the domestic 3D-printing capability could provide faster, lower-cost replacements for aging or hard-to-source components, thereby improving the resilience of Israel’s electricity infrastructure during periods of conflict or supply-chain strain. The program exemplifies a broader shift toward localizing critical industrial capabilities to safeguard national energy security.