Desert sun could provide future power needs

5.35.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st May 2008

The interim report of the temporary climate change committee of the European parliament confirms that the science of climate change is incontrovertible.

Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson wants Europe to put its money where its mouth is:

"Failure to act now means humankind will career towards a tipping point from which there is no return. What Europe needs to do is to redouble its efforts to promote clean energy. Generating power from the desert sun could speed up the process of cutting CO2 emissions at a stroke."

By using less than 0,3% of desert areas solar thermal power plants in the Middle East and North Africa can generate enough high voltage electricity and desalinated seawater to supply current and likely future demand in the EU, the Middle East and North Africa. This technology is already used in California. Graham went on to comment

"Such power plants are now being built in Morocco and Spain and may well receive EU funding. So that we shift from oil while providing jobs, drinking water and better infrastructure for those bearing the brunt of climate change. It could be the first project for the new Mediterranean Union."