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Friday, February 19, 2010
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Israel and Egypt in Solar Farm Talks

ISRAEL - At the Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference this week Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister, said that during his recent visit to Egypt with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he launched discussions with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak about the possibility of establishing a huge joint Israel-Egypt Solar Project in Egypt's Sinai Desert.

According to Ben-Eliezer, the project would provide enough energy for both Israel and Egypt.

"Egypt has the requisite space and Israel would contribute its technological know-how," said Ben-Eliezer.

"In our discussions with President Mubarak, he expressed much interested in the idea and we will be working together with Egyptian government representatives to advance the idea."

Egypt's Sinai Desert is a prime location for the establishment of a mega-solar project as its clear skies, flat topography and annual average solar concentration of 2,300 KWh per square meter make it very suitable for the installation of commercial solar technologies.

Also speaking at the conference, Mr. Salah Azzam, Director of the Bio-Fuels Division at the National Energy Research Center in Jordan, outlined his plans for the establishment of an Israeli-Jordanian bio-diesel plant by the end of 2010.

The plant would be built along the border between Jordan and Israel and will be operated by representatives from both countries.

"This project could serve as a great boost for establishing peace and security in the region and could promote peace efforts between Israel and its neighbours," said Azzam.

This year's Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Conference includes internationally-recognized alternative energy companies and speakers from around the world, such as former US Ambassador to Israel, Richard H. Jones, who is now the Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency; Mr. Michael R. Peevey, President of California Public Utility Commission; and Dr. Hermann Scheer, General chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy.

The Conference, organised by the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Administration in association with the Technologies Company, focuses on the latest innovations in renewable energy. Conference participants include internationally-recognised alternative energy companies, experts and investors from around the world. Some of the topics to be explored at the conference include renewable energy development in Israel, solar power, policies and regulations, energy conservation, and renewable energy technology. Conference organizers expect more than 2,000 participants at this year's event.

TheBioenergySite News Desk


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