Desertec

Desertec (Often: DESERTEC) is a non-profit foundation aimed at sustainably and ecologically producing electricity in sunny regions of the world. Sunny deserts are therefore the focus. The energy is intended to be used locally, but also exported to industrial regions, e.g., by means of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC). Energy partnerships are intended to enable development prospects.

The concept for energy supply was developed by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC), an international network of politicians, scientists, and economists. The Desertec Foundation emerged from this network and is a non-profit organization.

Several scientific studies, including those from the German DLR, suggest that the concept is feasible and can provide ecological and economic benefits for both Europe and Africa. However, photovoltaic and solar thermal power plants were not economically able to compete with fossil fuels locally or in Europe in the early 2010s, causing delays in the project's implementation.

After the price of solar thermal power plants and photovoltaics dropped significantly, initial pilot projects such as the Ouarzazate Power Plant (Al Noor Project, Morocco) and the Benban Solar Park (Egypt) were built.