Solar farms in the Sahara could power all of Europe

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

All of Europe’s energy needs could be met by covering an area in the Sahara Desert with solar panels, it was announced in Copenhagen.

With a solar farm as large as Ireland, Europe could realistically consider receiving 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.  Since the sun in North Africa is twice as strong as it is in southern Europe, just 0.3% of the light will be sufficient to power Europe, said Arnulf Jaeger-Waldau of the European commission’s Institute for Energy.  Scientists envision that 100GW could be generated by 2050, which is more than the combined electricity output from all sources in the UK.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

In what could be a £50 billion multiple government investment over the next ten years, these solar farms could produce electricity either through photovoltaic cells or by turning water to steam by focusing the sun’s rays with mirrors.  In addition, the cost of moving electricity long distances is down at least three-quarters.  The investment would also make the Sahara an exceptional prospect for private investors years from now.

Solar farms in North Africa would make fossils fuels less relevant and would make Europe less likely to depend on Russia and the Middle East for energy.  Trials of concentrated solar power for sources of European electricity will be planned for Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Dubai while Libya and Tunisia may also be considered as alternatives.

While political hurdles such as resident complaints exist about having transmission cables near their homes, there is also the possibility of wind farms being placed along the North African coast.  Winds created by the Sun heating the air are stronger during the summer, when European wind turbines, are less productive.

Read Next

July 4, 2025
Chinese PV provider Skycorp Solar Group has announced a solar plant acquisition and development strategy following unanimous board approval.
July 4, 2025
Germany’s latest innovation tender has awarded 488MW of co-located capacity, with all the projects being solar PV tied with energy storage.
July 4, 2025
Risen Energy’s mass-produced heterojunction (HJT) modules have reached a cell conversion efficiency of 26.61%, a record figure for the company.
July 4, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed the final version of the reconciliation bill that is now going to US President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature before its passing.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 3, 2025
Renewable energy curtailment in Brazil is set to reach 8% across the country, and be as high as 11% in the north-east, by 2035.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK