ISRAEL TO DEVELOP SOLAR PLANTS

Following Wednesday’s post about solar power plant development in the UAE, Egypt and Qatar (see LIKE UAE, QATAR & EGYPT GO FOR SOLAR), this Israeli plan further affirms the growing trend in the Middle East – FINALLY – to look beyond oil.

Israel to hold tender for solar energy plants
Tova Cohen (w/Will Waterman), February 10, 2008 (Reuters)
and
Negev Solar Power Plant Tender to be Opened to Foreign Firms
Hana Levi Julian, February 15, 2008 (Israel National News)

WHO
Israeli National Infrastructure Ministry (Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister); Luz II; Solel

One of 2 important Israeli forces in solar power plant development. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
The Ministry will invite bids for the building of 2 solar thermal power plants. Israeli firms Luz-2 and Solel, experienced in the field of solar power plant development will compete with international firms on the projects.

The other. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- The tender describing details required in the bids will be published at the end of February. The Ministry hopes to pick the contractor by the end of 2008.
- The Ministry intends to create 600 megawatts of new capacity by 2011-2012.

WHERE
- The plants will be located in the sun-drenched southern Negev Desert between Israel and the Red Sea.
- The will be near the town of Ashalim, 55 km southeast of Gaza (out of range of Palestinian Kassam rockets) and 30 km from the Egypt.

The land of history will be home to energy's future. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- The 2 power plants will be required to produce 250 megawatts of electricity, 3% of Israeli consumption.
- The Ministry is also developing rooftop photovoltaic installations and small wind.
- Of the sought after 600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity, the Ministry intends to get 300 MW from solar energy and 300 MW from wind energy.
- The tender is for “Build-Operate-Transfer” and requires ownership to be transferred to the government at expiration of the license.

In a hard land, let there be sunlight. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Israeli Infrastructure Minister: "According to the progress of projects until now, we will be able to meet our target of producing 600 megawatts of electricity from renewable energies by 2011-2012…"