The \u00a0desert sun\u00a0 beats down mercilessly on the vast, dusty plains of \u00a0Tunisia\u00a0 and \u00a0Algeria\u00a0. At first sight, they appear to be barren expanses, yet they hold the potential to transform into a \u00a0mosaic of wind turbines\u00a0, \u00a0solar fields\u00a0, and powerful \u00a0batteries\u00a0 capable of generating enough \u00a0electricity\u00a0 to power millions of homes across Europe. This energy would not just be for local towns; it would traverse the \u00a0Mediterranean\u00a0 via submarine cables, lighting up homes, factories, and trains on the European mainland. The \u00a0European Union\u00a0 has set forth a bold vision: the path to its \u00a0energy transition\u00a0 will extend beyond its borders, drawing significantly from North African resources.<\/p>\n
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A Priority List for Renewable Energy Projects<\/strong>. The \u00a0European Commission\u00a0 has recently updated its list of cross-border \u00a0renewable energy projects\u00a0, incorporating five new plans that will enjoy preferential financing from the \u00a0Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)\u00a0, alongside greater international visibility. Among these initiatives, one project stands out: \u00a0Medlink\u00a0, which encapsulates the EU\u2019s new energy strategy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to documents cited by \u00a0Bloomberg\u00a0, Medlink aims to install \u00a010 GW\u00a0 of wind and solar energy capacity combined with storage systems in Tunisia and Algeria. Electricity generated will travel through two high-voltage marine cables to \u00a0Italy\u00a0, boasting an annual capacity of \u00a028 TWh\u00a0, sufficient to meet about \u00a08%\u00a0 of Italy’s electrical demand. This transformative project, promoted by the Italian company \u00a0ZHERO\u00a0, holds the promise of expansion to supply energy to \u00a0Austria\u00a0, \u00a0Germany\u00a0, and \u00a0Switzerland\u00a0 starting in 2030.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The criteria for inclusion on this list stipulates that projects must involve at least two EU member states or a member state in collaboration with a third country. With this update, a total of \u00a0thirteen initiatives\u00a0 now exist in this special category, showcasing Europe\u2019s commitment to expanding its renewable energy horizons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other Key Players in Motion<\/strong>. The push for renewable energy is not just limited to Tunisia and Algeria. \u00a0Morocco\u00a0 aims to ensure that renewable sources will account for \u00a052%\u00a0 of its installed capacity by 2030, facilitating six \u00a0green hydrogen megaprojects\u00a0. Involved partners include Spanish firms like \u00a0Acciona\u00a0 and \u00a0Cepsa\u00a0, alongside European, Arab, Chinese, and American giants. These initiatives aim to produce more than just \u00a0hydrogen\u00a0; they will also yield ammonia, steel, and green industrial fuels for both international markets and Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile, \u00a0Egypt\u00a0 has successfully attracted billions in European investments for solar, wind, and green hydrogen facilities, most of the output destined for export. However, a report by \u00a0The Guardian\u00a0 from \u00a0Greenpeace\u00a0 warns that this strategy may inhibit local decarbonization, keeping Egypt tethered to \u00a0imported fossil fuels\u00a0 like mazut, which is notoriously environmentally damaging.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additionally, an underwater interconnection project known as \u00a0Themed\u00a0 is advancing, aiming to connect Tunisia and Italy with a capacity of \u00a0600 MW\u00a0, independent of Medlink and focused on hydroelectric energy. Slated for 2028, this project has garnered financing from the \u00a0European Bank for Reconstruction and Development\u00a0, the \u00a0Green Climate Fund\u00a0, and the \u00a0German Development Bank\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Broader Implications<\/strong>. In Brussels, these initiatives are viewed as a dual strategy: accelerating the \u00a0green transition\u00a0 while simultaneously reducing dependency on Russian gas, a situation exacerbated by the geopolitical landscape following the invasion of Ukraine. Italy positions itself as a renewable energy conduit to northern Europe, while countries such as \u00a0Spain\u00a0 revive key energy relations, including a pricing agreement between Naturgy and Algeria’s Sonatrach, valid until 2027.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The European Commission asserts that these connections and megaprojects are “essential to meet the objectives of the European Green Pact and reinforce energy security\u201d amid global uncertainities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Critics Raise Red Flags<\/strong>. However, this ambitious plan has sparked criticism. Green advocates, including \u00a0Greenpeace\u00a0, have brought attention to the potential \u00a0socio-environmental costs\u00a0 that may be shifted to nations in the Global South. Concerns include the intensive use of water in arid regions, community displacements, and prioritizing European energy demands over local development. Hanen Keskes, who leads campaigns for the organization in the Middle East and North Africa, stated, “The global north must assume its responsibility and build domestic renewable capacity, instead of outsourcing costs to the global south.” <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking Towards the Immediate Future<\/strong>. The EU has set an ambitious goal of importing \u00a010 million tons\u00a0 of renewable hydrogen by 2030. Morocco positions itself as a potential major exporter, alongside Algeria and Egypt, indicating a broader trend extending throughout North Africa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the evolving landscape of European energy, the southern Mediterranean is no longer merely a border. High-voltage cables will soon link sun-drenched deserts with bustling industrial cities. This unprecedented opportunity to accelerate \u00a0decarbonization\u00a0 across the continent will require vigilance to ensure that the benefits are shared equitably, lest those who dwell under the sun be left in the shadows of the very light they generate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image | Unsplash<\/a> and Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n Xataka | The white gold that unites Morocco and the US in the Sahara: phosphate<\/p>\n <img alt=\"The price of copper reached maximum for a tariff that was not. The result: the biggest fall in almost 40 years\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/33839e\/guia-de-imagenes-destacadas-1-\/375_142.png\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n