Can Solar Power from the Middle East and Africa Supply all Europe's Energy?

Just imagine, if the heat from the Sahara Desert - one of the hottest and emptiest places in the world - could in some way be used to supply solar energy for much of Europe. This is the dream of a collection of scientists from several European countries who foresee just such an amazing concept becoming reality.

A new organization called the Mediterranean Union was established in July 2008 by the President of France and brings together all the countries in the European Union, as well as countries in the Middle East and Africa that border the Mediterranean. The organization's aim is to deal with a range of important issues such as immigration, trade and security - as well as energy.

The concept of solar power from Africa has been considered before the creation of the Union. In 2007, a project with the nickname of Desertec was presented to the European Union. The plan called for huge solar power stations to be built along the coast of several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The electricity generated would then be transmitted through undersea cables to provide energy for much of Europe.

It's estimated that this plan would potentially provide up to around 16% of Europe's electricity needs - as well as significantly reducing carbon emissions. The huge solar power stations would also serve as desalination plants to provide African countries with much needed fresh water. The projected cost was around 200 billion pounds, with the money donated by financial institutions and governments.

The plan proposed by the Mediterranean Union foresees a similar system of huge solar farms across North Africa, connected to a supergrid and supplying electrical energy to Europe. One reason why the idea is so attractive is that the sunlight in this part of the world is so intense - it's estimated that Sahara solar panels could produce up to three times the output of similar panels located in Europe.

Politicians as well as environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have welcomed the idea, especially as high oil prices are persuading people to consider other forms of energy. The cost of solar energy is actually decreasing, as the necessary technology increases, although this ambitious plan would still cost an estimated 400 billion pounds.

Don't anticipate Europe to be heated from desert solar power any time soon - it will take many years to have the infrastructure in place, although some Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Portugal, have already invested heavily in solar power. Scientists predict that perhaps by 2050, the Sahara desert may be generating 100 GW (gigawatts of solar thermal power). However if this does one day become reality, it could benefit millions of people in Europe and Africa.