At the recent Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference it was announced that Israel and Egypt may collaborate on a mega solar project.

Israel’s Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer revealed at the conference that during his recent visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he launched discussions with Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak about the possibility of establishing a huge joint solar project in Egypt’s Sinai Desert, a prime location for such a project with its clear skies, flat topography and high annual solar concentration.

According to Ben-Eliezer, the project would provide enough energy for both Israel and Egypt.

“Egypt has the requisite space and Israel would contribute its technological know-how,” says Ben-Eliezer, adding, “In our discussions with President Mubarak, he expressed much interest in the idea and we will be working together with Egyptian government representatives to advance the idea.”

Also at the conference, Mr. Salah Azzam, Director of the Bio-Fuels Division at the National Energy Research Center in Jordan, outlined his plans for the establishment of an Israeli-Jordanian bio-diesel plant by the end of 2010.

The plant would be built along the border between Jordan and Israel and operated by representatives from both countries.

The Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference encourages discussion and debate of policies, technology, business and investment practices to lead to cost effective, practical solutions.