Several Mediterranean countries are hatching a joint plan to bring 20GW of renewable energy on board by 2020.
In July, 2008, several Mediterranean countries came together in Paris, where they hatched a plan to coordinate renewable energy generation and energy efficiency initiatives.
At the end of last year, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) resolved to coordinate development of an action and master plan in coordination with the European commission and to elaborate the existing plan by next year. Bound by certain progressive principles, the group have announced the four main objectives that will help them realize 20GW of renewable energy generation by 2020.
Following a series of high-profile renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives launched in the private sector, the UfM launched their Mediterranean Solar Plan. In order to reach their goal of producing a combined 20GW of renewable energy by the end of the decade, representatives realized the urgency of developing an outline of steps to take.
Operating with a spirit of transparency and co-ownership, the UfM have identified the following four objectives as crucial to lifting their plan off the ground:
1: Figure out how to create market-driven renewable energy projects at scale in order to reduce energy expenditures and increase efficiency in all partner countries.
2: Instead of creating a road map to peace, the UfM want a road map to solar energy generation. Such a plan would map out the short, medium, and long term steps necessary to achieving their energy objectives.
3. The UfM wants to create a platform where representatives of member states – many of which already have their own, separate renewable energy ambitions – a space where they can meet and share ideas.
4. Finally, the MSP will serve as an interface and focal point for projects and initiatives at both the national and regional level.
The core of the UfM’s success will be in their ability to cooperate. And if they are successful, this could be a valid model to use in other transboundary applications such as degradation of water resources.
More on Solar in the Middle East:
Europe’s Biggest Solar Farm To Be Built In Turkey
Solar Energy’s Not So Sunny Side
Mosque in Turkey Goes Solar
Image via marc_smith
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
