The Israeli government may be lacking support and investment into renewable technologies, but a group of around 100 people have formed a Renewable Energy Co-operative to overcome the problem. The co-operative will not only aim to make a profit to its members but will benefit the community as it will develop projects in areas that the government would not. In October 2009, the co-operative launched its first project, a water heating system based on water pumps, replacing the previous gas heating systems, in Kibbutz Givat Hayim. The new system considerably lowers the heating costs for the community.