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Large-Scale Solar Power Production in the Sahara Desert for European Use: Environmental Issues

Serious environmental impacts likely to make such projects rather less than green

Document created 24 June 2009, last updated 12 October 2010

The Desertec Project (see link below) is generating some interest (see The Guardian: “Can the Sahara light up Europe with solar power?”, and Inter Press Service: “North Africa Finally Sees the Light”, both 27 Apr 10 links below).

It has also received strong criticism (see Green World Investor: “Is the Humongous Solar Thermal Desertec Project a White Elephant Doomed to Fail?” and CSP Today: “Unravelling the financials of Desertec”, links below), although very little regarding the environmental aspects of the project.

However, because of the very large scale of projects such as Desertec’s, there are environmental issues to be considered. The Desert Protective Council presents a review of such issues for solar projects in desert areas of the south-western USA (see link below).

Links to external websites:

[wb1]  Forests.org - 22 Jun 09 - Europe looks to Africa for solar power - Europe looks to Africa for solar power

[wb2]  The Guardian - 27 Apr 10 - Can the Sahara light up Europe with solar power? Across the world's sunbelts, concentrated solar power is emerging as a blindingly obvious answer both to global power – and local water – needs. But can it reach the scale required, asks Duncan

[wb3]  The Guardian - 27 Jun 10 - Europe to switch on Saharan solar power by 2015 The race to harness the sun of the Sahara and Middle East deserts is one initiative in a far-ranging European energy consensus

[wb4]  CSP Today - Click to visit page: "Unravelling the financials of Desertec"

[wb5]  Green World Investor - Click to visit webpage: "Is the Humongous Solar Thermal Desertec Project a White Elephant Doomed to Fail?"

[wb6]  The Desert Protective Council - Click to read webpage: "Big Solar and the Desert - Fact Sheet"

[wb7]  Desertec Foundation - Click to visit website

[wb8]  Inter Press Service - 27 Apr 10 - North Africa Finally Sees the Light - Europe's appetite for renewable energy and a shifting tide in domestic energy policies could turn North Africa into major exporter of solar power by the end of the decade.

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