Solar energy station gets green light from council

A new solar energy station will be created on 600 dunams of formerly agricultural land at Kibbutz Ketura, 50 kms north of Eilat.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
The National Council for Planning and Construction has announced plans to create a new solar energy station on 600 dunams of formerly agricultural land at Kibbutz Ketura, 50 kms north of Eilat, reports www.local.co.il. The station will ultimately supply 40 megawatts of power. According to the report, the council decided on the plans as part of the national and international trend toward finding environmentally friendly energy sources. But despite welcoming the move toward less damaging energy sources, environmental organizations have been worried about the impact of large solar energy stations on the desert environment. The report said that following requests by environmental organizations, the council had agreed to hold further talks on the criteria for solar energy stations in the Negev and Arava deserts. An environmental organization spokeswoman said there were numerous plans for the creation of solar energy stations in the desert and that these had consequences for the environment, but there was currently "no guiding hand" over these plans. She said it was important for those involved to discuss and decide on "rules and dimensions" for solar energy stations in the deserts.