October 9, 2009
Abengoa Solar has signed an agreement to join, as a founder member, the Desertec Industrial Initiative, a project born under the auspices of the Club of Rome, TransMediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation and the EU-MENA network.
This initiative, which has been promoted by Abengoa Solar together with ABB, Cevital, Deutsche Bank, EON, HSH Nordbank, Muenchener Rueca, M+W Zander, RWE, Schott Solar, Siemens and Solar Millennium/ MSM, is aimed at meeting 15 percent of Europe’s energy needs, and two thirds of the demand in Northern Africa and the Middle East, via solar thermal plants and other renewable sources of energy by 2050.
To this end, over the course of the next few years, the companies and institutions comprising Desertec will develop a plan in conjunction with governments and other stakeholders to enable future construction of power plants based on solar energy and other renewable sources, in addition to the electrical power transmission needed to transport this electricity.
Abengoa is a pioneer in the construction of solar power plants in Northern Africa with two Integrated Solar Combined Cycle, ISCC, plants in Ain-Ben-Mathar (Morocco) and Hassi-R’mel (Algeria).
Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar, expressed his satisfaction upon signing the agreement for the company to join this ambitious project, pointing out that "Northern Africa and the Middle East are undoubtedly areas with tremendous solar energy potential, for both the region’s own use as well as exporting as soon as the necessary infrastructure and regulatory measures are in place. Abengoa Solar is contributing its expertise in innovative solar technologies to this international group of partners, and Abengoa itself is contributing its expertise in the construction of large high voltage transmission lines and desalination plants."
© 2009 Abengoa. All rights reserved
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