Soreq Nuclear Research Center is a nuclear research reactor in near Tel Aviv, Israel. It functions as a Pool-type research reactor (IRR-1, 5 MW). It is operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC). In service since 1960.
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id NUC-IL-SOREQ.
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
The capacity and fuel fields on this page are source-record values from the upstream open dataset. They are useful for identification and ranking, but they have not been upgraded to a 2026 registry/GEM-location verified value.
capacity: IAEA / NTI; fuel: IAEA / NTI
The Soreq Nuclear Research Center, near Yavne on Israel's central coast, operates the IRR-1, a 5 MW pool-type research reactor supplied by the United States in 1960 under “Atoms for Peace.” Unlike Dimona, Soreq is under IAEA safeguards and focuses on civilian research: radioisotope production, materials science, particle accelerators and nuclear medicine.
It is a research institution, not a power-generating reactor, and produces no grid electricity. Soreq is frequently referenced alongside Dimona in discussion of Israel's nuclear infrastructure, but the two sites differ sharply in mission and in their international monitoring status.
Technically it is described as Pool-type research reactor (IRR-1, 5 MW). This facility converts its energy source into electricity for the grid; its capacity, fuel type and location determine its role in the national power mix.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
This nuclear plant generates electricity for the grid. It sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 31.7°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
For a plant’s outdoor hardware — heat-recovery steam generators (HRSG), expansion joints, valves, flanges and their insulation — the local climate sets how fast unprotected steel and coatings degrade. This site sits in an aggressive, high-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C5 — Very high), with marine salt corrosion the leading environmental stress.
Higher environmental severity is exactly where protective removable insulation pays back most: a sheltered micro-climate slows corrosion, UV and thermal-cycling damage and extends outdoor hardware service life. This is an indicative site-climate context — not a condition assessment of any specific plant or operator.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
The #1 largest nuclear power plant of 2 in Israel by capacity.
Israel has 2 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 5 MW of capacity.
Coordinates 31.7486, 34.6325 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Soreq Nuclear Research Center is a nuclear research reactor in near Tel Aviv, Israel, operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
No — Soreq Nuclear Research Center is a nuclear research reactor and does not generate grid electricity.
It is located near Yavne, near Tel Aviv, at approximately 31.749, 34.633.
Soreq Nuclear Research Center is used for Pool-type research reactor (IRR-1, 5 MW).
Soreq Nuclear Research Center is operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
