Could Solar Power from the Middle East and Africa Provide Energy for Europe?
Just think, if the heat from the Sahara Desert - one of the hottest and emptiest places on earth - could somehow be used to supply solar power for much of Europe. This is the dream of a collection of scientists from several European countries who foresee just such an incredible idea becoming reality.
A new organization called the Mediterranean Union was created in July 2008 by the French President and brings together all the countries in the European Union, as well as countries in the Middle East and Africa that border the Mediterranean. The organization’s aim is to deal with various important issues such as immigration, trade and security - as well as energy.
The concept of solar energy from Africa has been considered before the creation of the Union. In 2007, a project with the nickname of Desertec was presented to the European Union. The plan called for huge solar power stations to be built along the coast of several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The electricity generated would then be transmitted through undersea cables to provide energy for much of Europe.
It’s estimated that this plan would potentially provide up to around 16% of Europe’s electricity needs - as well as significantly reducing carbon emissions. The huge solar power stations would also serve as desalination plants to provide African countries with much desired fresh water. The estimated cost was around 200 billion pounds, with the money donated by financial institutions and governments.
The plan put forward by the Mediterranean Union foresees a similar system of huge solar farms throughout North Africa, connected to a supergrid and supplying electrical energy to Europe. One reason why the idea is so attractive is that the sunlight in this region of the world is so intense - it’s predicted that Sahara solar panels could produce up to three times the output of similar panels located in Europe.
Politicians and environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have welcomed the idea, especially as high oil prices are persuading people to look more closely at other forms of energy. The cost of solar power is actually decreasing, as the necessary technology increases, although this ambitious plan would still cost an estimated 400 billion pounds.
Don’t expect Europe to be heated from desert solar power any time in the near future - it will take many years to have the infrastructure in place, although some Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Portugal, have already made a considerable investment in solar power. Scientists predict that perhaps by 2050, the Sahara desert may be generating 100 GW (gigawatts of solar thermal power). However if this does one day become reality, it could benefit millions of people in Europe and Africa.