This morning saw the signing, in the presence of the Minister of National Infrastructures, of an unprecedented agreement for the purchase of privately produced electricity in Israel.

Minister Landau: "This is an especially momentous day for the electricity industry in Israel. The Ministry of National Infrastructures will continue working full out to promote the introduction of other private producers into the electricity advanced technology and clean-energy market".

On November 2, 2009 a ceremony took place at the National Infrastructures Ministry, in which the Israel Electric Corporation and OPC signed an agreement for the sale of electricity from a power station that OPC is to build at Mishor Rotem. The document was signed by Israel Electric Corporation CEO, Mr. Amos Lasker, and the OPC CEO, Mr. Giora Almogy.

The plant, which will be operated with natural gas by means of combined recycling, is expected to come on stream and be producing electricity some time in 2013 with an installed capacity of approximately 400 Megawatts, which will be sold to the Electric Corporation and to end consumers.

The agreement concludes the process of a tender that began in 2001 - which the National Infrastructures Ministry and the Finance Ministry published in the framework of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the promotion of the private production of electricity in Israel.

Signature of the agreement was made possible as a result of the personal intervention of the Infrastructures Minister which put an end to the prolonged negotiations lasting several years and which at times had reached an impasse.  

The entry of OPC into the electricity market is of major importance in view of the anticipated shortage of electricity in Israel.

National Infrastructures Minister, Dr. Uzi Landau: "This is a special morning. For too long there has only been talk about private electricity producers. It has now also become a reality. I am pleased to welcome here all the people who have worked so hard together in order to reach this moment".

National Infrastructures Ministry Director-General, Shaul Zemach: "I want to thank all those who were involved in the process. This is a major achievement for the Ministry of National Infrastructures and the Government of Israel. Determination has won the day".

IEC Board of Directors Chairman, Moti Friedman: "For several years now the Electric Corporation has been engaged in an effort to promote private electricity production. The Corporation has a wealth of know-how and experience which is being exploited as a help to the private producers in all the possible spheres of activity".

The Head of the Electricity Authority, Amnon Shapiro: "This is a uniquely important document. I am looking forward to seeing OPC operating in the private market".

The Accountant General, Shuky Oren: "The ceremony is a significant milestone. I will be pleased if also during the tenure in office of Minister Landau, we were to see the entry of other private electricity producers such as the plants being planned for the electricity market at Ashalim.

OPC CEO, Giora Almogy: "OPC has already started to make progress with the project. Some two months ago we published an international tender for building the power plant. Several of the major world energy companies have shown interest, this being the first time that they have indicated a willingness to compete for such a tender in the Israeli market. For the purpose of construction of the plant these companies will need to employ workshops and metal-work factories in the south which will create many jobs during the construction period. We expect the power plant to start operating at the beginning of 2013".    

"Veolia" Environment Israel CEO, Uri Starkman: We are happy to be a part of this project.  We could not have found a better partner. We are confident that it is possible to work in Israel and to profit from projects here.

The signing - in the photograph, National Infrastructures Minister - Dr. Uzi Landau, IEC Chairman, Moti Friedman - IEC CEO - Amos Lasker, OPC CEO - Giora Almogy, Photography Credit: Yossi Weiss.

Handshake - in the photograph: National Infrastructures Minister - Dr. Uzi Landau, IEC Chairman, Moti Friedman - IEC CEO - Amos Lasker, Israel Corporation CEO - Nir Gilad, OPC CEO - Giora Almogy, Photography Credit: Yossi Weiss.