The fields will have a total capacity of 100MW of solar energy using photovoltaics, for an average of 6.5MW per field, at an investment of ILS2bn.
At the same time, as per the directives of the National Planning and Building Council, APC is advancing rooftop solar installations on cowsheds and factories in the signatory cooperatives.
Yosef Abramowitz, president of APC, said: “We’re in a huge growth period. In each of the 15 mid-size field locations, we are also planning to build a large-size field, adding another 500 megawatts to Arava Power’s pipeline. Together with our partners from Siemens, we are weighing additional proposals from investors.”
Jon Cohen, CEO of APC, said: “We are implementing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vision to cease use of fossil fuels within a decade and develop alternative energies for itself and the world.
“The goal to produce 300 solar megawatts is an important step towards implementing the government’s decision to produce 5% of Israel’s energy consumption from renewable sources by 2014, but it’s not enough: In order to achieve this goal, at least 1,000MW are needed, and the market indicates that only mid-size solar fields can fill the gap faster than any other source.”
