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 team of scientists from several European countries who foresee just such an incredible idea becoming possible.
A new organization called the Mediterranean Union was created in July 2008 by the President of France 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 a range of important issues such as immigration, trade and security – including energy.
The proposal 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 produced would then be transmitted through undersea cables to provide energy for much of Europe.
It is estimated that this plan would potentially provide up to around 16% of Europe’s electricity needs – as well as considerably 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 coming from financial institutions and governments.
The plan proposed 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 concept is so appealing is that the sunlight in this part of the world is so intense – it’s estimated 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 consider other forms of energy. The cost of solar energy 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 soon – 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 foresee that perhaps by 2050, the Sahara desert may be generating 100 GW (gigawatts of solar thermal power). But if this does become reality one day, it could benefit millions of people in Europe and Africa.