When we look at a solar irradiance map of the world, it’s no wonder all eyes are focused on the arid deserts of North Africa. The sun’s rays are intense and provide the optimal climate for utility scale concentrated solar power (CSP). As one of the first movers in the region, the German government is eager to collaborate with Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria for European investment in electricity infrastructure and renewable energy generation.
According to Bloomberg News, representatives from both the German and Moroccan governments will meet this week in Rabat to spell out details of solar energy development in the North African country. Morocco is a strong contender to receive foreign funding for CSP as it already has an undersea electricity cable running to the European continent. Discussions of a water-desalination plant have also been proposed.
These negotiations follow the path laid by Berlin-based Desertec Foundation, an organization attempting to provide the EU-MENA (European Union, Middle East & North African) region with clean and affordable electricity. Due to the geography of the area, CSP plays a huge role in Desertec’s development plans, which Bloomberg News reports at generating 15% of the EU’s electricity consumption by 2050. At GetSolar, we’ll be sure to keep our eyes on these talks and the development of CSP in Morocco, as well as Desertec’s involvement in helping the EU-MENA region obtain cleaner and more affordable power in the long run.
Germany is basically playing catch up with Morocco in order to stay in good terms with the Kingdom, after the deal it signed with its archrival in renewables, Algeria.
Sourced [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] July 19, 2008.
Low-cost Solar Thermal Plants at Heart of Algerian-German Research Push
by Jane Burgermeister, European Correspondent
Vienna, Austria
The development of a new generation of large-scale, low-cost solar thermal power plants is the focus of a joint research agreement signed between Algeria and Germany.
“Energy in the future will come from many different sources, including biomass and geothermal, but solar thermal power plants can definitely play a big part when they become cost competitive.”
– Bernhard Milow, German Aerospace Center
Researchers will be sharing data and expertise to speed up the market introduction of large-scale solar thermal plants. The plants could supply up to 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity and desalinate water for 50,000 people.