BrightSource, Alstom to build 121MW solar thermal plant in Israel

Megalim Solar Power Limited, a special purpose vehicle of BrightSource Energy and Alstom, has won a tender for the construction of a 121MW solar thermal power plant in Israel that is expected to come online in 2017. It is one of the three projects selected under Israel’s Ashalim 250MW tender announced in 2008.

The project will be located in the Ramat Negev Regional Council 3.15 square kilometer site in Nagev Desert of Israel.

The announcement of the contract was made last month by the Israel Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy and Water.

Mr. Shaul Tzemach, Director General of the Ministry of Energy and WaterResources, said: “Winning the tender at this time can be seen as a vote of confidence in the Israeli economy, especially in Israel’s renewable energy sector, which, despite all the difficulties, continues to establish itself as competitive, efficient, and innovative at the global level. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources will continue to act with determination to meet the renewable energy targets set by the government.”

In awarding the project, the agencies noted: “The principal advantage of [BrightSource’s] solar thermal technology is its high reliability which enables it to constitute a real substitute to conventional power plants which consume fossil fuels, as opposed to some other renewable energy technologies.”

The project would be set up under the typical BOT model in which Megalim will plan, finance, build, and operate the plant for 25 years and then transfer the ownership to the State of Israel.

Ashalim’s 250MW tender includes two solar thermal plants and one photovoltaic plant. When commissioned, the projects are expected to generate 2% of Israel’s total installed capacity and will help move towards the nation’s goal of generating 10% of its total energy from renewable energy sources by 2020.

This article was originally published on CleanTechnica. Reproduced with permission