The Ministry of Defense is considering fixing solar collectors atop rooftops of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases in order to generate electricity.
Sources inform "Globes" that the Ministry of Defense issued a preliminary tender last week for setting up photo-voltaic solar energy systems at IDF bases to produce and supply electricity.
Photo-voltaic solar energy systems are small and can generate up to 50 kilowatts. The companies that were interested in the project were asked to present various options of how to go about the project - including BOT (build, operate, transfer) and regular setting up and selling the system.
The solar energy companies were asked to respond to the Ministry of Defense with their feedback by the middle of September. Estimates are that the final tender will be published in 2010, with a value of at least several tens of millions of dollars.
About a year ago, as part of a strategic plan to make IDF bases more environment-friendly, it was decided to advance the use of solar energy on the bases. Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense set out a preliminary tender to set up a thermo-solar power station to generate 15-20 megawatts at the Nevatim Israel Air Force base, at an estimated cost of $40-50 million.
Currently, the Ministry of Defense is considering expanding solar energy usage to smaller installations as well. This followed July 2008 regulations by the Public Utilities Authority (Electricity) which set up an incentive of NIS 1.97 for every kilowatt hour generated by small installations.
The defense establishment is one of the economy's largest energy users. The annual energy cost at IDF bases is estimated at NIS 1.5 billion about 5% of the national total.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 8, 2009
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