Renewable Energy Partnership for shared prosperity

Power from the desert – Key contribution towards transforming energy supply in EU and MENA

We have all heard of Dii (the initiative of industries and Desertec) and MEDGRID, but what exactly is their objective and how do they complement each other? With the support and cooperation of some of its associate members, the EEF has chosen to inform you about both initiatives. Hence, 3 speakers enlightened on the subject followed by our usual question and answer time.

– Introductory remarks :Michael Koehler, Head of Cabinet, Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy
– Dii GmbH (Desertec Industrial Initiative): Paul Van Son, CEO
РMEDGRID: Andr̩ Merlin, Chairman, President and CEO of Medgrid

Desertec is a vision, shared by leading scientists and companies, to use the world’s deserts to generate energy on a sustainable basis. Working closely with governments and authorities, Dii has set itself the objective of bringing this vision into market reality in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Power generated from renewable energy sources in the deserts shall, thus, serve the local markets and could be exported to Europe. With its 20 shareholders and over 35 associated partners, the industrial initiative Dii has a pioneering and stimulating role to create the right conditions for this to happen. Dii works in close partnership with governments, industries and many others defining strategies and projects which shall bring about greater prosperity and stability in the region.  

MEDGRID: The Mediterranean Solar Plan – MSP – is a political initiative which aims at developing 20 GW of new renewable energy in the South and East Mediterranean countries by 2020, out of which some 5 GW would be exported to the EU countries. It will help the EU countries achieve their objective of renewable electricity; the high price paid in EU will contribute to the funding of the renewable generation and to boosting the economy of the South and East Mediterranean countries. MEDGRID® was created primarily within the frame of the MSP, at the end of 2010, by 20 associate companies, all from the Mediterranean Basin. Its objective is to design, by 2013, the trans-Mediterranean transmission system required for the export of these 5 GW, and to study its technical, economical and institutional feasibility. Still MEDGRID intend to continue its activities after this term, and to be the architect of the future Mediterranean transmission grid, highway for the exchange of power between both sides of the Mediterranean.

The European Commission, together with the Union for the Mediterranean, may act as facilitator in the transition process. During the debate the speakers and the audience discussed amongst other topics, about which are the main objectives and how should the cooperation between the industrial and public sector look like.