TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Sep 02, 2009 (CEST)
Electricity From Sahara Sun Gains Support
The demand for electricity in Europe can be met in part by tapping the vast energy of the sun shining down on the Sahara, according to a consortium of twelve European companies. The consortium Desertec has reached an understanding to develop plans for a vast array of solar electricity producing stations across the Sahara, with pledges of €400 billion (about $600 billion) to make it happen.
The details of this arrangement, including what technologies will be employed, have not yet been worked out. The agreement reached in July was a pledge to work together to achieve the common goal of 15% of Europe’s electrical needs by 2050. The first steps are to develop an investment plan by 2012 and gain support among world leaders.
The project has met skepticism from some quarters, noting that the Sahara is and unstable region both politically and environmentally. The costs of defending plants and transmission lines from bandits and sandstorms are seen as high hurdles. In addition, the cables required to bring the power to Europe will not be perfectly efficient and lose up to 20% of the power.
“Sahara power for northern Europe is a mirage,” according to Hermann Scheer, German MP and head of the European Association for Renewable Energy. His group favors development of scattered photovoltaic collectors throughout Europe to generate electricity locally. “Those behind the project know themselves that nothing will ever come out of this,” Scheer adds.
Backers of Desertec are unfazed, noting the success of other projects in the region. Santiago Seage, Chairman and CEO of ABENGOA Solar, a Desertec member, says that “We are building North Africa's first private integrated solar combined cycle plant in Algeria and the region’s largest utility-owned integrated solar combined cycle plant in Morocco. Tomorrow Abengoa’s experience in transmission, desalination and solar projects in North Africa will make a significant contribution to the success of the Desertec objectives.”
The project also has key political support. Prince Hassan of Jordan said, “The partnerships that will be formed across the regions as a result of the Desertec project will open a new chapter in relations between the people of the European Union, West Asia and North Africa.”
Desertec describes the consortium as the “awareness raiser, catalyst and barrier remove” to pave the way for Desertec developments.” They see their work as one of industrial and political organizer. “One of the most useful things we can do is to work with national governments and political bodies like the EU and similar bodies all over the world, to create the right framework of laws and regulations, and to ensure that there is a good framework of incentives for Desertec developments.”
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
