Brussels, 12/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - France has proposed that a Euro-Mediterranean energy pact be concluded. According to information from Monaco, where experts at the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Efficiency Forum on 11 May said that the region would have to deal with a growing demand for electricity - up 6% by 2020 - on its southern and eastern shores, French Industry, Energy and Digital Economy Minister Eric Besson called on the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) to lead the zero-carbon economy “revolution” to ensure the sustainable development of these countries.
The energy pact proposed by France would see the funding of the Mediterranean Solar Plan (20GW planned) speeded up. Multilateral institutions will be brought on board and European imports of electricity promoted from partner countries. Besson said that France intended to set up an international finance centre for renewable energy, with the aim of creating a public-private platform responsible for identifying projects, assessing them against financial risks and proposing them to banks and investment funds. (F.B./transl.rt)