Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 23, 2007 Tevet 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Hanukkah

Minister of National Infrastructures Benjamin Ben-Eliezer. (Alon Ron) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 01:28 23/12/2007 Israeli firms will not get preference in new Negev solar power plant By Avi Bar-Eli, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Benjamin Ben-Eliezer  The tender for building a solar power plant in the Negev will not give preference to Israeli companies. The inter-ministerial tenders committee decided that foreign firms can participate in the tender without a local partner. The decision was made, among other things, to avoid the impression that the tender was written for the benefit of the only two Israeli companies who could compete for the power station: Solel and Luz 2. The cabinet hopes that this change will make the tender more attractive to international firms with experience in the solar energy industry, and that the new conditions will allow the setting of appropriate minimum requirements for professionalism and financial strength for the bidders on the project. Advertisement Minister of National Infrastructures Benjamin Ben-Eliezer recently announced that the first stage of the tender will likely be published next month. The power plant, which will be located near Ashalim in the western Negev and produce 250 megawatts of electricity, will be Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT). The winning bidder builds the plant, operates it for the license period, and at the end of the franchise transfers full ownership to the state. A number of foreign companies have already expressed interest in the project, including Spanish energy giant Abengoa. The tenders committee, headed by the treasury's deputy accountant general, Avi Dor, will soon publish the first stage, which includes planning the project. The committee has already chosen the group of legal and financial advisors that will accompany the tender process. The committee intends to complete the entire tender process by the fourth quarter of 2008. However, there are still a number of major issues left undecided, including the number of tenders to be published. There is a debate over whether there should be a single, overall tender for the total amount of power production, or two smaller ones. There are also questions regarding the timing and order of publication of the tenders. But the real remaining question is which technology will be required for the power station: solar thermal or photovoltaic. The solar thermal method harnesses the sun's energy to heat a material, such as oil or water, from which it is possible to generate electricity, while the photovoltaic system transforms solar energy directly into electricity. However, it also appears that even if one of the possible two tenders requires a photovoltaic system, the total amount of electricity from such a plant will not be over 50 megawatts, out of the total of 250 megawatts. Related articles: Sde Boker makes solar energy viable Renewable energy is coming of age 'Green' power takes center stage at Eilat energy conference Bookmark to del.icio.us Bye bye Borat Sacha Baron Cohen will reportedly retire his much-loved alter-egos Borat and Ali G. Divided reformists Reform head Eric Yoffie slams a vote on Jerusalem by the Conference of Presidents.   1.   This is crazy 02:51  |  Wendy 23/12/07   2.   Solar plant 07:11  |  Mo 23/12/07   3.   Out to international tender 08:10  |  Tim - Brighton 23/12/07   4.   Another proof that Israel is a democracy! 08:11  |  Eric 23/12/07

Today Online Israel fears clash with U.S. over impasse in peace talks Responses: 48 Reform head: U.S. Jews mustn't oppose compromise on J'lem Responses: 18 Israel expands plans for new homes in E. J'lem, W. Bank Send response Meron Benvenisti: Israeli Arabs must stop mourning Nakba Send response Haaretz.com TV: Darfur refugee with cancer is still in jail Send response Rosner's Domain Riedel: "Israel will attack Iran" (WTR) Hijacked by the demanding, spoiled Bar Mitzvah families Romney to Evangelicals, like Messianic Jews to Jews (WTR) Rosner's Guest: deNazify the Palestinian culture More Headlines 10:15 Israel expands plans for new homes in E. J'lem, W. Bank 10:16 Israel fears crisis with U.S. over impasse in peace talks 02:12 Barak, Mubarak to discuss truce with Hamas in Egypt Wednesday 09:18 Reform head: U.S. Jews must not oppose compromise on Jerusalem 04:28 Religious outpost takes over secular settlement in West Bank 09:53 New talks between lecturers, Finance Ministry break down 09:37 Radical Black Panthers bury group's leader Sa'adia Marciano 09:35 Treasury demands billion-shekel cut due to welfare spending 03:03 Legal effort slows building for Arabs in East J'lem village 01:01 Police bust mastermind burglar 'The Brain' breaking into Judaica store Previous Editions Select Day 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved