Europe-Mediterranean Clean Energy Supergrid
Powering the European economy entirely through renewable energy is possible! The EU office cooperates with the e-Parliament and several Members of the European Parliament from all main political parties to bring the project “Europe-Mediterranean Clean Energy Supergrid” on the EU agenda.
Based on the DESERTEC concept and a number of feasibility studies from Governments and known institutes, this project demonstrates that electrifying Europe only by renewable energy is possible with current techniques and know-how. Its implementation depends solely on the political will.
In late autumn 2007, HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal introduced the DESERTEC concept which was developed together with WFC Councillors to key EU decision-makers. Since that time, Councillors Anders Wijkman and Nicholas Dunlop have elaborated the concept further into the so called Europe-Mediterranean Clean Energy Supergrid project which broadens the DESERTEC concept by two components:
1. a supergrid composed of high voltage direct current cables (HVDC) which allows the transport of electricity over great distances with only minimal losses enabling the connection between the edges of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East; and
2. storage possibilities, mainly through water reservoirs, which guarantee the continuous flow of energy at all times.
WFC Councillors Anders Wijkman and Nicholas Dunlop, supported by the WFC EU Liaison Office, gathered key MEPs from all main political parties to start a policy initiative bringing the Supergrid topic on the EU agenda in autumn/winter 2008. For that purpose, a letter was sent to Presidents Sarkozy and Barroso to request their support. Their answer is expected for September 2008.
In addition, a number of events are planned to further promote the idea to power the European economy by renewable energy. Overall aim is to turn the project into a visionary flagship programme of the EU that could serve as a role model worldwide.
Further background information can be downloaded here.
