French national electricity company Electricite de France SA (EDF) renewable energy unit EDF Energies Nouvelle Israel yesterday inaugurated its first three solar energy projects in Israel with an investment of NIS 270 million.
The new arrays at the Negev settlements of Gvulot, Nahal Oz and Lahav will produce18 megawatts of electricity within six months. The array at Gvulot will produce 8.5 megawatts, at Nahal Oz 6 megawatts and at Lahav 3.2 megawatts. In total 75,000 solar panels manufactured in France are being installed.
At the festive launch in Gvulot, EDF Energies Nouvelle Israel (EN) CEO Ayalon Vaniche said that the new arrays are the first of many more ventures that EDF will set up in Israel in the coming year. He said that EDF-EN had taken a long-term strategic decision that reflects its belief in the Israeli economy and its huge potential in the field of energy.
Last year the company won a government tender to set up a solar array near Mitzpe Ramon to produce 7 megawatts of electricity.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 19, 2012
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