EDF Renewables has commissioned the 60MW Timna solar power plant in Israel.
The plant is located close to the historic Timna copper mines in the far south of the country, in the Arava Valley and consists of 154,000 bifacial photovoltaic panels.
The solar plant will help meet the Israeli government’s objective of increasing solar energy’s contribution to the energy mix to 30% by 2030.
The Timna project includes several initiatives aimed at protecting endangered native fauna and flora species, rehabilitating the soil, controlling the runoff of any rare rainwater, and integrating the project into the landscape.
In 2016, the company won the largest competitive tender held in Israel to date, to operate the 100-hectare site for a 25-year period.
EDF Renewables operates 20 solar power plants across the country, with combined capacity of close to 390MW and is building 14 new projects, including floating solar plants.
These innovative floating projects aim at taking advantage of the large water reservoirs across the country and to curb evaporation.
EDF Renewables international operations executive vice president Frederic Belloy said: “The commissioning of the Timna solar plant brings one of our finest projects in Israel to its fruition. With this latest project, EDF Renewables is consolidating on its leadership position in Israel’s energy market.
“We are delighted to be playing our part in the development of renewable energies in the country by applying our expertise and our innovative solutions.”