Economy and housing Negev

1 economy , housing

1.1 development plans
1.2 solar power
1.3 wineries

economy , housing
development plans

blueprint negev mobile homes, 2009

blueprint negev jewish national fund project introduced in 2005. $600 million project hopes continue israel s past environmental successes in making desert bloom , attract 500,000 new jewish residents negev improving transportation infrastructure, establishing businesses, developing water resources , introducing programs protect environment. planned artificial desert river, swimming pools , golf courses raised concerns among environmentalists. critics oppose plans, calling instead inclusive plan green vitalization of existing population centers, investment in bedouin villages, clean-up of toxic industries , development of job options unemployed.

a major israel defense forces training base being constructed in negev accommodate 10,000 army personnel , 2,500 civilian staff. 3 more bases built 2020 part of plan vacate land , buildings in tel aviv , central israel, , bring jobs , investment south.

solar power


solar troughs in negev

the negev desert , surrounding area, including arava valley, sunniest parts of israel , little of land arable, why has become center of israeli solar industry. david faiman, expert on solar energy, feels energy needs of israel s future met building solar energy plants in negev. director of ben-gurion national solar energy center, operates 1 of largest solar dishes in world. technically, however, arava separate desert own unique climate , ecology.

a 250 mw solar park in ashalim, area in northern negev, in planning stages on 5 years, not expected produce power before 2013. in 2008 construction began on 3 solar power plants near city; 2 thermal , 1 photovoltaic.

the rotem industrial complex outside of dimona, israel, has dozens of solar mirrors focus sun s rays on tower in turn heats water boiler create steam, turning turbine create electricity. luz ii, ltd., plans use solar array test new technology 3 new solar plants built in california pacific gas , electric company.

wineries

yatir forest 2005, produced yatir winery in negev

vines have been planted in negev since ancient times. in modern times, vineyards have been established in northern negev hills using innovative computerized watering methods irrigation. carmel winery first of major wineries plant vineyards in negev , operates boutique winery @ ramat arad. tishbi has vineyards @ sde boker , barkan grows grapes in mitzpe ramon. yatir winery boutique winery in tel arad. vineyards on hill 900 meters above sea level on outskirts of yatir forest. carmey avdat israel s first solar-powered winery.