Israel-Egypt joint solar venture mulled

Industry Minister Ben-Eliezer said that Egyptian President Mubarak will consider an Israeli proposal.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told the Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference & Exhibition today that, during his joint visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the countries agreed to consider a possible joint solar energy project. Israel will provide the technology, and Egypt the land. The electricity will go to both countries, and the surplus sold to other countries.

Ben-Eliezer said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expressed interest in the idea, and said that he would consider it. Ben-Eliezer added, "I see how, in ten years, the Negev and the Arava will become the Silicon Valley of alternative energy. I commit to do everything to promote the subject. We have huge advantages, and I want to see in Israel what Solel Solar Systems (now Siemens Concentrated Solar Power Ltd.) and Ormat Industries Ltd. (TASE: ORMT) are doing in California. The establishment of a renewable energy development center in the south will attract a lot of scientists and investors to Israel."

At today's session, "Sun Power, Soft Power: Linking Energy Independence, Regional Development and Accelerated Business with Emerging Markets", Salah Azzam of Jordan's National Energy Research Center, revealed that Jordan, Israel, and the US have set up a joint venture to develop biodiesel based on German technology.

Azzam said that this was currently the only joint R&D project between Israel and Jordan, and that it was a good basis for peace and important potential for the two countries. He also disclosed a range of Jordanian renewable energy activities, including thermosolar energy, wind energy, biodiesel, and biogas.

MME-IL manager Ilan Friedlander, the Israeli partner in the biodiesel project, said that the first facility was due to be built in 2010 on the Israeli-Jordanian border north of Eilat and Aqaba. He said that he hopes in the future to build more facilities along the border and in each country.

The first biodiesel plant is due to produce 500 liters of fuel from each ton of dry organic waste. The cost of the plant is estimated at €4 million, and the first projects are due to be financed by international groups.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 18, 2010

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010

Twitter Facebook Linkedin RSS Newsletters גלובס Israel Business Conference 2018