In its report Desert Power: Getting Started, DII, which isshepherding the Desertec solar mega-project, points to a combination of highwind speeds and grid connectivity as boosting the region’s short-termprospects.

“While 2013 figuresrecently indicated that the EU wind-energy market is consolidating, DII’sanalysis shows that south of the Mediterranean, conditions for onshore wind areparticularly favourable,” says the report. “Electricity from wind power costs€50-70 [$69-96] per MWh at good sites in MENA.”

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