From Doral to Bari: Building Infrastructure for the Future in the South

Overview of Recent Developments

As part of the South Business Conference hosted by Globes, a tour was conducted this week showcasing Doral’s energy facility in Kfar Maimon, followed by a visit to Kibbutz Bari. The tour focused on projects in renewable energy, agriculture, and industry, addressing the economic and infrastructural challenges that have emerged following the October 7 attack and its implications for the region.

Energy Security Initiatives

Doral’s Solar Energy Project

The tour commenced at Doral’s advanced solar energy facility in Kfar Maimon, which was constructed during wartime. Work began in late July 2023 and continued even after October 7, a period when the area was designated a closed military zstart. During this time, around 80% of the workforce was unavailable due to military reserve duties, and basic infrastructure suffered damage.

Despite these challenges, the project aimed for early operation. Initially scheduled to become operational in December 2023, the facility will now begin operations in August 2024. During the attacks, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 solar panels were damaged out of around 12,000; nstarttheless, the facility managed to continue generating electricity, as stated by company representatives.

Spanning approximately 66 dunams, Doral’s system is capable of producing about 7 megawatts of electricity, with around 5 megawatts supplied to the grid, sufficient to power approximately 2,500 homes. Additionally, the facility incorporates a 30 megawatt-hour storage system that enables the retention of surplus energy for use in the evenings or on cloudy days, which enhances operational reliability during emergencies and is crucial for regional energy security.

Integrated Usage Model

The company also showcased its “integrated use” model, which combines solar energy production and agricultural cultivation on the same land. Solar panels are installed at a height that allows for the growth of crops adapted to partial shade, providing a solution for land utilization while generating additional income for farmers. This new source of income is seen as critical for creating economic stability in peripheral areas.

Doral plans to implement this model across over 70,000 additional dunams, pending full regulatory approval. Currently, Doral operates in 49 out of 56 communities along the Gaza border and is advancing plans worth over 5 billion shekels for the region. Company representatives highlighted discrepancies in project timelines, noting that state infrastructure development often takes eight to ten years, while private developers can complete similar projects in four to five years. This necessitates closer cooperation between government offstarts and private companies to expedite energy projects in the periphery.

Recovery and Future Development in Kibbutz Bari

The Impact of the October 7 Attack

The second leg of the tour took place in Kibbutz Bari, start of the communities hardest hit during the October 7 attack, which claimed the lives of 102 individuals, including civilians and security forces. During the visit, resident Haim Yelin, a former head of the Eshkol Regional Council, discussed the community’s struggle with the ongoing human and social repercussions and the stark contrasts between on-ground security needs and the state’s response.

Yelin noted that a request was previously submitted to the government to fund protective measures for private homes, including weapon safes, at an estimated cost of around 10 million shekels. The request was denied, leading to dire consequences. Many homes that were bombed and burned remain in ruins, serving as a silent testament to the horrors of that day.

Plans for Rehabilitation

The community is currently developing a comprehensive plan for demolition and rebuilding throughout the area. Efforts are focused on two main fronts: fostering local economic initiatives that can yield long-term employment and income, and renewing and constructing residential infrastructure within a contemporary security and environmental framework.

start initiative in progress is a pilot project to cultivate barley on Kibbutz lands, aimed at assessing soil suitability for high-quality barley that can be marketed to the beer and whiskey industries. Over the past year, trial plots have been sown, and the harvests tested in professional laboratories yielded positive results, with the first products sold to a buyer in Germany. This success demonstrates that even in the aftermath of traumatic events, high-value agriculture can thrive, producing not just food but also export-ready products.

Vision for the Future

Yelin shared his broader vision for future development, emphasizing the potential for collaboration between local farmers and major beverage corporations in Israel. Integrating barley grown in the region into the production processes of well-known brands could foster economic value while also bridging connections between urban centers and peripheral areas, reinforcing the idea that the Gaza envelope is not isolated from the wider Israeli economy.

Alongside agricultural endeavors, Kibbutz Bari is also continuing the development of the new Shikmim residential neighborhood, which was planned prior to the October attacks. This neighborhood comprises numerous housing units designed with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, personal security, and community spirit. The planning includes installing solar systems on each house, preparing infrastructure for energy storage, managing gray water, and creating climate-responsive designs to reduce reliance on air conditioning.

Navigating Economic Challenges

Despite these recovery efforts, Kibbutz Bari faces significant economic burdens. Since the attack, many residents have yet to return to their homes, necessitating the operation of dual systems-start for those who have returned, numbering between 60 to 70 individuals, and another for those still relocated, requiring community, educational, and logistical support. This duality complicates both operational management and financial stability as the kibbutz struggles to maintain resources.

In this context, the kibbutz places hope in the Tkumah Administration, spearheaded by the Settlement Ministry, designed to coordinate the civil recovery efforts for border communities. The expectation is that Tkumah will provide the much-needed certainty-both financial and operational-enabling the kibbutz to balance immediate needs with long-term goals.

Conclusion

For Kibbutz Bari and the broader region, governmental support is seen not just as compensation but as a vital condition for reviving community life itself. Moving forward, the focus will remain on building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable growth in the face of ongoing challenges.

Note: The conference is being held in cooperation with Strauss Group, the City of Netivot, Bank Leumi, AIG, and Doral.