The $550bn Sahara-spanning concentrating solar power (CSP) project was launched in 2009 with the aim of delivering 15% of Europe’s energy supply by mid-century, but it fell apart as German consortium members dropped out one by one.
However, the sands are shifting for the region and the “revalidated” 37-member group now spearheading the scheme, Munich-based DII (Desertec Industrial Initiative), which is positioning itself with a far grander ambition.
