better generation

Vast arrays of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants set to be built in the Sahara desert will start generating clean, reliable energy for Europe within the next five years, says European energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger in a recent interview.

The EU, together with big energy names such as Siemens and E.On are investing £240 billion to fund the large scheme of solar projects in Northern Africa called the Desertec Initiative. The objective is to meet the target of 20% of Europe's energy coming from renewables by 2020, with a subsequent goal of providing 15% of Europe's electricity demand by 2050. By tapping into the "largest, technically accessible source of energy on the planet" the Desertec Initiative will transmit the energy through a network of low loss transmission cables to pipe electricity into the existing European grid, via Spain.

 Starting with small pilot projects, the amount of electricity would go up into the thousands of megawatts as projects including the Desertec solar scheme come on stream. "Desertec as a whole is a vision for the next 20 to 40 years with investment of hundreds of billions of Euros," said Oettinger. "To integrate a bigger percentage of renewables, solar and wind, needs time."

Although a large an ambitious project, the efficiency and scalability of CSP makes this an economically realistic goal. Keith Bowen, director of engineering at UK-based Circadian Solar highlights the fact that CSP technology has enjoyed some of the fastest increases in efficiency with figures nearing 40%.

The EU now has an important role in negotiating how to operate such a project on foreign soil. Oettinger has been careful to repeal concerns expressed in the past by some officials in Algeria that the project could involve Europeans exploiting North Africa's natural resources. "Renewables are a two-way partnership because electricity produced here is for the home market of North African countries," he said