As more companies begin looking into the Desertec Initiative, one more has taken the step and announced plans to take part. Spain’s Acciona Chairman Juan Manuel Entrecanales said, “It’s an ambitious project, but possible in the mid to long-term.”
The project conceptualized initially by the Club of Rome has attracted several big names like the Deutsche Bank, Siemens, E.ON, and RWE. The Desertec Foundation along with 20 companies aim to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fund the initiative which would commission studies on possible projects, said Desertec engineer Gerry Wolff. A first power station with a capacity of 2 GW in Tunisia with power lines to Italy would take five years to build once it gets regulatory approval, he added.
Acciona’s interest is not surprising considering its venture into the solar industry. The company has just opened its first concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Spain and is already constructing a second plant. In addition, Acciona has a CSP plant in the Nevada desert that has been operational since 2007.
Many see the major problem with the Desertec Initiative related to the costs as solar power in any form is the most expensive renewable energy. However, with such big names onboard, cost would seem to be the least of their worries. The main problem is the technology, making it efficient and reliable. Maintenance once the project is complete will also be a major undertaking.