What we're doing right
Farming the desert
15th December 2007
Europe could get a sixth of its energy from a solar farm spanning the deserts of North Africa
The European Parliament may buy up more energy from the Middle East and Africa – but this time not from oil wells. Instead, the EU is considering investment in Desertec, a string of proposed solar farms in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. These farms would export a third of the power they generate to Europeans, leaving the rest to provide local electricity and create fresh water. The project was among the presentations to the IPCC in Bali.
Unlike solar panels, which chemically convert sunlight into electricity, these farms use mirrors to turn water into steam that drives power-plant turbines (as well as desalinates sea water). This technology is proven – a solar thermal plant has been operating in California since the 1980s – but critics say it still costs twice what coal-generated electricity does and may deter European buyers.
But the pricetag isn’t deterring Desertec’s backers, who include Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. They are confident solar farming will become cheaper in coming years and say Europe could get a sixth of its power supply from it by 2020. And that could be just the beginning: In one hour, enough sunlight falls on the Earth to supply global energy needs for a year.
Published in The Green Report in The Globe and Mail
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