The European Union has set a series of demanding climate and energy targets to be met by 2020, collectively known as the 20-20-20 targets. These are:

• A reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions of at least 20% below 1990 levels.
• 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewable resources.
• A 20% reduction in primary energy use compared with projected levels, to be achieved by improving energy efficiency.

In this context, the ‘EU Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources’ provides valuable guidance for the future integration of desert power. This EU directive establishes a common framework for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources. It describes how EU member states can exchange an amount of energy from renewable sources using a statistical transfer (Article 6). Further, Article 9 emphasizes the possibilities of establishing the cooperation with third countries (non-EU states) if the following conditions are met:

• the electricity must be consumed in the European Community;
• the electricity must be produced by a newly constructed installation (after June 2009);
• the electricity produced and exported must not benefit from any other support.

Paul van Son, CEO of the industry initiative Dii: “The EU renewable energy directive will play an important role for the stimulation and integration of dispatchable desert power in the coming years. Dii is in close talks with the European Commission as well as with EU member states and Governments in North Africa on how this existing framework can be implemented into favorable national legislation.”

Go to EU Renewable Energy Directive
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