The NIS 1 billion plant will produce 100 million cubic meters a year at NIS 2.60 per cubic meter the world’s lowest price for desalinated water.
The desalination plant on the Ashkelon shore began operating last Thursday. The plant, constructed under the build, operate, transfer (BOT) method, will supply 100 million cubic meters of water a year.
The plant will initially supply 50 million cubic meters, which will channeled into ground water until the systems is stabilized. The water will be directed into the National Water Carrier one month from now, which will send it to southern Israel.
The second stage of the plant’s operation will begin in December 2005, until supply reaches 100 million cubic meters per year. The price of the water will be NIS 2.60 per cubic meter the world’s lowest price for desalinated water.
The VID consortium built the plant. VID consists of IDE Technologies 50%, French water company Veolia Water 25%, and Dankner Elran Infrastructures 25%. Israel Chemicals (TASE: CHIM) and Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG) own IDE Technologies in equal shares. Nochi Dankner, the FIBI investment house, and Dor Gas own Dankner Elran Infrastructures.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on August 7, 2005