MEP warns EU not to turn away from the sun

Date published: 19/02/2008

The potential for Rochdale homes to be powered by green electricity generated by the desert sun is being ignored by the European Commission, claims a local MEP, Chris Davies.

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays and heat a gas or liquid that can power conventional steam turbines.

Scientists estimate that covering just 0.5% of the planets hot deserts with the mirrors CSP would provide the world's entire electricity needs.

Campaigners for 'Clean Power from Deserts' say that Europe should link CSP into a new electricity grid to allow the transport of electricity across North Africa and Europe from a variety of renewable sources.

They claim that by doing this the region could provide all its electricity needs by 2050 with barely any fossil fuels, allowing a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

But in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, EU energy chief Andris Pielbalgs says that the European Commission has not investigated the use of CSP as an option in its strategy to reduce CO2 emissions.

It's a missed opportunity, says Chris Davies.  "The potential is vast. We may have some way to go before it can be realised but I think it high time that we started to take some serious steps forward."

Europe's first commercial power station to use the sun's energy opened recently in Spain and should one day provide the electricity for the 600,000 people of Seville.

CSP is not new and there has been a plant in the Mojave Desert in California for 15 years.