The inter-ministerial tenders committee for the solar power plants at Ashelim in the Negev has published two tenders for the construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer to the state of two solarthermal power plants for the production of 220 megawatts of electricity.
Seven consortia that passed the prequalification stage of the tenders have been invited to submit bids for the request for proposals (RFP) stage of the tenders. Later this month, the tenders committee will publish supplementary tender documents, including the franchise agreement, license, and sale of electricity to Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) (TASE: ELEC.B22).
Two prominent bidders in the tenders are Ormat Industries Ltd. (TASE: ORMT), and Shikun u'Binui Holdings Ltd. (Housing and Construction) (TASE: HUCN) with Solel Solar Systems Ltd.
Each of the two solarthermal power plants will generate 80-110 megawatts. They will be the first plants of their kind, and will be the largest solar power plants in Israel and among the largest in the world.
Minister of Finance Ronnie Bar-On said, "Progress in renewable energy projects is important, not just from the environmental perspective, but also in order to reduce the economy's dependence on fossil fuels."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 16, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009