At a meeting in Munich on Tuesday, German utility companies, United States solar energy entrepreneurs and Swiss transmission experts ABB signed a memorandum of understanding with a dozen groups to analyse and develop the technical, economical and political framework for the project. The idea is one of the most ambitious renewable-energy projects to be launched, with plans calling for hundreds of thermal plants scattered across the North African desert and massive underwater high-voltage cables to bring the power back to Europe. The project could take 40 years to finish and might one day supply Europe with 15 per cent of its energy demands. North Africa and the Middle East would also benefit.
