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Last update - 10:02 22/01/2008 Eilot Region pins energy hopes on solar collectors By Zafrir Rinat , Haaretz Correspondent Tags: solar collectors, Eilat  The Eilot region, at the southeastern edge of Israel, is likely to become the first part of the country, along with the city of Eilat, that is not dependent on polluting energy resources. Instead of oil- or coal-fired power plants, the region's electricity will be produced from clean, renewable sources - first and foremost, the sun. "The sun's rays here are among the strongest in the world and there is no shortage of land on which to build installations that can exploit solar energy," says Eilot Regional Council chair Udi Gat. "There is already research infrastructure from the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Kibbutz Ketura and Ben Gurion University, and this [infrastructure] can be expanded." G Advertisement at will be attending the two-day Business and Environment conference at Kfar Maccabiah (Monday and Tuesday), and will present his plans to make the Eilot region energy self-sufficient. The Eilot Regional Council and Eilat Municipality recently began establishing a "sustainable energy administration." The administration will focus on assisting developers and companies to use the broad expanses of the southern Arava for the research and development of solar and wind energy technologies. Some of the resulting electricity could also be sold to the Israel Electric Corporation. "We will still need backup from the national grid for emergencies or at night, but we will be able to supply most of the energy ourselves," says Gat. Every community in the region will be able to produce its own energy by setting up solar panels on the ground at the edge of agricultural land. "This is an idea that is already common in many places around the world, mainly outlying regions where energy is expensive," notes Gat. "We have already prepared a land usage tax order allowing the installation of solar panels at a low taxation rate, identical to that usually paid by farmers." At present, southern Arava residents get their electricity from a long high tension line from the coal-fired Ashkelon power plant, which pollutes the environment. The Eilot Regional Council will allocate a large section of land for sustainable energy production at the industrial park it is building beside the Timna mines. Last year the Eilot region hosted a conference on alternative energy and an expert in this field works for the Eilat municipality. The regional council plans to allocate a building in its jurisdiction for the establishment of a technology incubator for energy research, in conjunction with MRI, an American company. MRI will also promote an experimental apparatus developed by Adig, an Israeli company. The apparatus is made of mirrors that absorb sunlight and help power turbines produce electricity. Another plan being promoted in Eilot is an educational program for schools and pre-schools, with a focus on clean energy. Gat hopes to receive government funding to achieve the goal set by the regional council. After all, the government decided that in 2007, Israel would obtain at least 2 percent of its energy from sustainable resources, but did not manage to reach even that low target. Gat admits that the environmental goal of consuming clean energy is also a means to a bigger goal - strengthening the regions' communities economically and demographically. "We need to vary our sources of income, which are currently based on dairy farms, date orchards and fish farms in the Gulf of Eilat, which will be closed down by government order next summer," says Gat. "I believe that we can attract people who work in the research and development of sustainable energy sources, and they will come to live here." Related articles: 'Green' power takes center stage at Eilat energy conference Report: Israel suffers environmental problems of the developing world Israel cancels UN climate change summit envoy due to high security cost Tunneling for the environment Bookmark to del.icio.us   Message from space A newly-launched Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a very clear message. Gravediggers' plight Even getting buried in the Gaza Strip has gotten more complicated these days.

Today Online Yoel Marcus: Bereaved families don't have more say Send response Israel begins shipment of fuel, gas into Gaza Strip Responses: 3 U.S. immigrant beaten up in 'pogrom' by ultra-Orthodox gang Responses: 60 Israel launches new satellite bolstering ability to spy on Iran Responses: 95 Gideon Levy: The mass killing in Gaza is just hurting both sides Responses: 146 Rosner's Domain Domain's guest: American Jews must help improve Israel's education Obama's position on Israel questioned, again Why Republican candidate Mike Huckabee worries Jewish voters Rosner's Mailbox: Huckabee the candidate who would not sell Israel out Meadow Soprano is more proud of Israel than the US (WTR) More Headlines 09:08 Israel begins shipment of fuel, gas into Gaza Strip 09:15 Gov't concerned by push to give PA control of Gaza crossings 09:55 China: Nuclear standoff with Iran is at a 'critical' stage 08:41 Palestinian water authority: 40% of Gazans lack running water 22:01 U.S. immigrant beaten up in 'pogrom' by ultra-Orthodox gang 02:37 Top German officials slam Austrian trade ties with Iran 04:16 Dutch FM says Israel unfairly singled out for criticism by UN 06:39 Green Forum petitions against plan to expand Tel Aviv's promenade 10:02 Eilot Region pins energy hopes on solar collectors Previous Editions Select Day 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan

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