Brussels, 25/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Desertec solar electricity generation project in North Africa and the Sahara should be able meet not just 15% but 20% of the EU's electricity requirements by 2050.
This information was announced by the Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) consortium in a project report to 2050, submitted to the department of the Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger on 21 June. Another report, containing recommendations on regulatory issues, is expected on January 2013.
According to consortium estimates, Desertec would help Europe reduce energy costs by €33 billion a year by 2050, with prices for electricity generated in the North African desert of €58 per megawatt, as opposed to €73 for electricity generated in the EU.
Dii is already developing projects in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, with a total projected capacity of 2.5 GW, which is equivalent to the production of two nuclear reactors. A first 500 MW project is expected to be completed in Morocco, next November. (EH/transl.fl)