Clean power from Sahara for Europe

Post date: Nov 02, 2009 4:47:39 PM

Nov-1-2009 Munich Germany

$400bn plan to provide Europe with solar power from the Sahara

moved a step closer to reality today with the formation of a

consortium of 12 companies to carry out the work.

15% Clean Sahara electricity for Europe 2050

The Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII) aims to provide 15% of Europe's

electricity by 2050 or earlier via power lines stretching across the

desert and Mediterranean sea.

The German-led consortium was brought together by Munich Re, the world's

biggest reinsurer, and consists of some of country's biggest engineering

and power companies, including Siemens, E.ON, ABB and Deutsche Bank.

It now believes the DII can deliver solar power to Europe as early as 2015.