European government and industry have been eyeing tracts of sun-drenched, vacant land in North Africa and the Middle East for some time. And now, officials and business executives are beginning to sweat out the details that could see renewable power sprouting in the desert. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
A bit Eurocentric, it sounds like Voosen got briefed on this project from his sources and didn't do much more investigation. There's not much in here that convinces me this isn't a European resource-grab that will do little to improve trade among Mediterranean nations (a la the Treaty of Maastricht). The premise is interesting, and I recommend the article, but beware its rosiness.
In fact, according to analysts, nuclear-powered France does not have nearly as much to gain in the energy sector from solar development in North Africa. Far more important to Sarkozy are the climate benefits and the influence a successful union could give his country.
By stimulating energy trade, the Union for the Mediterranean hopes to bring about deeper dialogue. There is a model for this: The European Union evolved from a treaty in 1950 that created a common market for coal.
Sakozy's position in this deal is interesting -- a French source would have been helpful.