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Israel eyes solar opportunities in Egypt

Israel is working with Egypt to build solar power plants in the country, taking advantage of Egypt's vast areas of unused land.

The solar tower of Israel's Ashalim power station
The solar tower of Israel's Ashalim power station is surrounded by solar panels in the Negev desert on Sept. 27, 2021. — EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel is making plans to build solar power plants in cooperation with Egypt and other neighboring countries, Bloomberg reported Nov. 18.

Bloomberg quoted Yair Pines, head of the Israeli prime minister’s office, as saying, “Discussions are underway for potential joint projects in Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and countries further afield.”

“The sites will be built in countries with more idle land than densely populated Israel, which will provide its technological know-how,” Pines said. “Our neighbors have lots of open land, something we don’t have. We have the technology.”

According to Pines, the plants would be connected to the respective countries’ energy grids, paving the way for Egypt to increase solar’s contribution to its energy mix.

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