RWE, one of Europe's largest energy companies, reportedly may bid in the $650 million tender to build and operate the solar power plant in the Negev desert region, Israeli business newspaper Globes reported. Company representatives visited Israel last week and met with executives of HFCI Ltd., which is heading one of the consortia in the tender.

HFCI is headed by Chief Executive Officer Alon Bar and Oil Refineries Chairman Ohad Marani. The consortium includes Germany's Solar Millennium and Israeli real estate developer and contractor Minrav Holdings Ltd.

RWE produces, transports and supplies electricity and gas to 20 million customers in Germany. If RWE signs a cooperation agreement with HFCI, this will be its first venture in Israel. RWE would strengthen HFCI's finances and provide experience in the construction and operation of power stations.

Two months ago the Ministry of Finance published an international tender for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of two solar energy plants of 80 to 125 megawatts each. The tender has attracted a number of leading companies in the industry, including Israel's Solel Solar Systems Ltd., Luz II Ltd., and Israel Corp. subsidiary IC Green Ltd., as well as Turkey's SunPower Inc. and Spain's Abengoa Bioenergy.