EDF Renewables commissions four solar power plants, including two floating, in Israel

EDF Renewables is announcing the commissioning of four new solar farms in the country, for a total of 54 MW of installed capacity. These new facilities are part of the Israeli government’s target to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 30% by 2030. It also contributes to the EDF Group’s Cap 2030 strategy, which aims to double its net renewable energy capacity, from 28 GW to 60 GW, between 2015 and 2030.

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    Winners of the Israeli government’s tenders held in 2019, the four solar farms will produce enough electricity to supply 15,000 homes. Each one benefits from a 20-year feed-in tariff for their output.

    • The Lochamei HaGetaot floating solar power plant with a 19 MW installed capacity, is built on a set of fish ponds on a kibbutz in the north of the country. The farm is being used for an experiment conducted by EDF Renewables with the Ministry of Agriculture. Its 44,000 photovoltaic panels make Lochamei HaGetaot the most powerful agrivoltaic project in Israel.
    • The Holga floating solar power plant, with a 2 MW installed capacity, is located in the north of Israel. Built on a water reservoir for irrigation, its 4,300 photovoltaic panels cover 70% of the water surface.
    • The Gevim ground-based solar power plant is located on the land of a kibbutz in the Negev desert. The plant consists of 64,000 photovoltaic panels and has an installed capacity of 27 MW.
    • Lastly, the Kmehin ground-based solar power plant is located in the heart of the desert near the Egyptian border. It consists of 14,500 photovoltaic panels and has an installed capacity of 6 MW.

    With these new additions, EDF Renewables now operates 27 solar installations in Israel, with a total capacity of nearly 490 MW. By the end of 2022, six other projects will be commissioned, including another floating solar farm.

    Ayalon Vaniche, CEO of EDF Renewables in Israel, commented: “With these four new solar farms, EDF Renewables is strengthening its presence in Israel and consolidating its position as the leader in the Israeli solar power market. We are delighted to contribute to the development of the renewable energy in this country by providing our expertise and our innovative solutions such as the floating solar technology.”.