Reuters reports that Europe will import its first solar-generated electricity from North Africa within the next five years, accorcing to European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.
The European Union is backing projects including the 400 billion euro Desertec solar scheme to turn sunlight in the Sahara desert into electricity for power-hungry Europe, to help meet a target of deriving 20 percent of that continent's energy from renewable sources in 2020.
Related Article: Molex launches solar PV junction box, cable assemblies
The EU is backing the construction of new electricity cables, known as inter-connectors, under the Mediterranean Sea to carry this renewable energy from North Africa to Europe.
The Desertec consortium includes major European firms such as Siemens, RWE and Deutsche Bank. They are expected to seek public money for the project.
Full Story: EU sees solar power imported from Sahara in 5 yrs (Reuters)
