Mekorot continues to expand its activity in renewable energies

The Mekorot National Water Company continues to expand its activities in the field of electricity production from renewable energies, and recently the company inaugurated the construction of several photovoltaic (solar) installations on the roofs of the company’s water pools. The latest facilities were placed in the Sorek area, and were built by Synergy Renewable Energy and RPA Renewable Energy, who also maintain and operate the photovoltaic facilities.

Mekorot is considered the largest consumer of civilian electricity in the State of Israel, with approximately 4-5 percent of total demand. The electricity is required in order to operate desalination facilities, water and wastewater treatment, conveyance of benign water and treatment of effluents. Mekorot’s energy expenses have increased in recent years in parallel with the construction of new transmission and water supply infrastructures throughout the country, and in recent years they amount to around NIS 850 million per year, an amount that, as mentioned, may increase in the coming years and in relation to connecting disconnected areas in the North, East and Arava.

The Sorek site is a central receiving facility for the water that is treated in Sorek by a private concessionaire, where the inaugurated facilities include the installation of approximately five thousand panels and the entrepreneurs’ investment cost is estimated at approximately NIS 7 million. Electricity production at the site includes about three megawatts in the first phase, and another three megawatts per year that will later be placed on top of two nearby ponds and with the possibility of establishing an energy storage facility that will be able to serve the various customers throughout the hours of the day.

Mekorot CEO Amit Lang emphasizes that the facilities being built are part of the company’s larger plan to roof dozens of pools with solar facilities, while in the coming year the National Water Company intends to work on the construction of similar facilities in about ten other pools throughout the country. “Any additional investment by Mekorot in electricity generation “Renewable energies actually contribute to reducing operating costs, diversifying electricity supply sources and reducing the company’s environmental carbon footprint,” he concludes.

Ofer Ben Bashet, CEO of Synergy Renewable Energy Company, explains that today more than ever the importance of transitioning to the use of renewable, distributed, clean and cost-effective energy is clear “We are proud to lead the clean energy revolution promoted by Mekorot with R.P.C. Renewable Energy. The Whistle Project is the first swallow for future similar projects.”