EC orders Desertec study for cross-Mediterranean power grid

Dec 12, 2013 - The Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII) consortium said on Wednesday it has received an order from the European Commission for a feasibility study on a transmission line connecting Italy and North Africa as part of the Desertec project.

EC will finance up to 50% of the study under its trans-European energy networks (TEN-E) programme.

The Desertec project aims to develop solar and wind power resources in the North Africa and the Middle East deserts in order to export electricity to Europe and the Middle East. The project's goal is to cover up to 15% of Europe's electricity needs by 2050.

The study will evaluate the economic viability of the project and will suggest solutions to possible problems related to renewable energy generation in North Africa, construction of a transmission line to Italy as well as applicable regulatory framework.

In addition, DII will examine possible locations for the interconnector in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

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