• Desertec is an ambitious European project that harvests solar power in North African desert and delivers it to Europe as electricity.
• Last week, a group of German companies committed to significant financing for the project.
• Supporters emphasize the connection between economic and ecological sense and the implications of such an enormous international cooperative; critics suggest a bi-continental plan is inefficient, could result in a negative foreign dependency just like oil, and could further assert Euro-imperialism.

Facts & Figures

• As it’s planned, Desertec would be the largest centralized solar power production project in the world.
• The electricity produced could account for as much as 15% of the European Union’s power.
• It is expected to cost €400 billion ($555 billion).

Best Quote

“The time now is perfect to start this initiative as climate protection has become an urgent issue and our economies need new impulses.” – Alexander Mohanty, a Munich Re spokesman.

Tags: energy, solar power