The vision of large-scale renewable energy generation in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa will be in the center of discussions at Dii’s first Annual Conference in Barcelona (26th and 27th of October 2010). The conference will be opened with a keynote speech by EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger. The integration of energy markets is seen as a decisive element for a future energy cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

Further topics of discussion will include power generation in desert regions, grid requirements and transmission, socio-economic development in MENA and the important issue of a favorable regulatory framework and specific support schemes for desert power.

A selection of confirmed speakers includes:
Prof. Klaus Töpfer, Strategic Advisor of Dii and former Executive Director UNEP
Jamilah Matar, Director of Energy Department, League of Arab States
Georges de Montravel, CEO Transgreen
Issad Rebrab, CEO Cevital (Algeria)
Dr. Gerhard Knies, DESERTEC Foundation
Santiago Seage, CEO Abengoa Solar
Dr. Torsten Jeworrek, Member of the Board, Munich Re
Ali Fassi Fihri, CEO, ONE (Morocco)
Luis Atienza, CEO, Red Electrica de España
Benaissa Ayadi, Managing Director, STEG Renouvelables (Tunisia)

Dii-CEO Paul van Son: “Our first annual conference brings together diverse parties from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East who are interested in the Desertec concept and in finding solutions to bridge Europe and Africa through renewable energy.  This is the perfect forum for an enriching and forward looking dialogue. We will debate political and economic challenges for large-scale production of electricity from sun and wind in the deserts and the crucial issue of bringing its costs down to a competitive level.”
 
A detailed conference programme, a list of speakers and information on how to register can be obtained at the Dii Annual Conference website.