1. Solar Power Plants in the Negev Desert Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum
New York City
December 2007
Dan Weinstock Electricity Authority, Director Ministry of National Infrastructures

2. 1. The Ask
I am: Dan Weinstock B. Sc. & M. Sc. in Electrical Engineering
Electricity Authority, Director Ministry of National Infrastructures
Israel
My Project is: Solar Power Plants in the Negev Desert
This Project Needs: Partners
Financing

3. 2. Project Overview
Israel energy sources for electricity production:

4. 2. Project Overview
The solar radiation characteristic in Israel in general,
and in the Negev desert in particular, makes it one of
the best place on earth for solar power plants.

5. 2. Project Overview Annual Solar Radiation in the Negev Desert
Ashalim Site
kWh / m2 / year
kWh / m2 / year

6. 2. Project Overview The project is managed by a tender committee
with representatives from the following entities:
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of National Infrastructures
Public Utility Authority – Electricity
The total project cost is estimated to be higher
than $ 500 million.

7. 3. Physical Description One option is to built two solar-thermal
power plants (110 MW each) and one
photovoltaic power plant of 30 MW. *
The technologies for the thermal power
plant might be parabolic trough or solar
tower or concentrating dish.
*The technical data are not finalized yet.

8. 4. Financial Description
The existing tariff for solar energy in Israel is
about 17 c/kWh (for plants bigger than 20MW).
Several financing options are being considered:
Improvement of existing feed-in tariff regime
Combination of feed-in tariffs and additional incentives, i.e., tax relief
The financial models are being developed by
expert financial advisors.

9. 5. Project Needs We are looking for partners with
knowledge / experience with design,
construction and operation of large solar
power plants.
We also looking for international finance.

10. 6. Project Timetable Government decision September 2007
PQ publishing January 2008
Tender publishing May 2008
Concessionaire choosing December 2008
Financial closure June 2009
Operation

11. 7. Contact Information
Dan Weinstock
Ministry of National Infrastructures
Member of tender committee
Phone:
Fax:
Cellular: