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Write an ArticleUsing a massive network of roughly 1,000 100-megawatt power plants, and thousands of miles of high-voltage d.c. transmission cables, a conglomeration of researchers, environmentalists and businessmen is attempting to sell Europe on the idea of harvesting solar power from the Sahara Desert. The green-energy idea includes a mix of renewable energies, from wind to geothermal to biomass power, and is dubbed DESERTEC. Not surprisingly, the issue isn’t technological, but economic and nationalistic in nature. Some, for example, are concerned about the idea of relying on Africa for power. Others are worried about the US$595 billion price tag. Jon Gibbins, an energy engineer at Imperial College London, commented, "Unless it’s extremely cheap, it won’t stop people using easy-to-get fossil fuels. We didn’t stop using coal in the last century because of oil."
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Harvesting Solar Power from the Sahara Desert
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Problems with maintaining infrastructure in Africa by Brandon :: NR8 :: Show
As an employee of Shell International Exploration and Production, the first thing that popped in my mind after reading this was the huge potential cost of maintaining the infrastructure needed for this sort of plan. The oil industry has a quickly increasing presence in Africa – particularly off the West coast – and runs into continual problems with safety there, for both employees and equipment. I’ve heard numerous stories and read multiple reports of people murdered or kidnapped, as well as pillaging by locals.
The goal is a worthy one, however, so I’m not saying this shouldn’t be pursued. The security aspect of the plan is just something I think many of the "researchers, environmentalists and businessmen" might be missing.