Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty visited the Sun Valley project at Eilot in the southern Negev on Friday, as part of his visit to Israel. He sought to learn about new cleantech developments in Israel and possibilities for collaboration. Last year, the Ontario provincial government announced plans to convert its coal-powered plants, which generate 30% of the province's electricity, to renewable energy sources.
Ontario is Canada's largest province, with 13 million residents, and accounts for 40% of the country's GDP.
McGuinty and three provincial ministers visited several projects that have already been built in Eilot, including the AORA Solar solar-hybrid tower, the solar-powered dairy farm and parking lot at Kibbutz Yotvata, and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, where he met with faculty and students working on various projects, including a hydrogen-driven engine for vehicles.
The Ormat Industries Ltd. (TASE: ORMT)-Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT)-Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. consortium and the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Administration also presented programs to McGiunty. The Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Administration is participating in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor tender for the establishment of a renewable energy technology center.
The provincial ministers discussed Ontario's renewable energy development program, which includes investment by foreign companies in setting up production lines in the province, pursuant to regulations requiring the use of Canadian-made components in the renewable energy programs and projects in Ontario. The ministers also outlined Ontario's Green Energy Act, which fosters smart, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly water and energy solutions, and aims to create 60,000 new jobs.
Last year, Ontario Minister for Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello visited Israel to look at Israeli cleantech offerings. McGuinty's visit follows on that trip, and shows a real interest by the Ontario government in Israeli cleantech. Ontario is a large energy consumer, in part because of its large aerospace industry, and needs energy solutions.
Ontario Ministry for Economic Development and Trade states that it offers many incentives for R&D, provided that it is conducted jointly with local companies. Entrepreneurs have to set up a company in the province and operate through it to be eligible for the incentives, which include a reimbursement of up to 60% on R&D expenses. Shari Arison's water venture MIYA is one Israeli company already operating in Ontario.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 30, 2010
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