12 companies plan establishment of a "Desertec Industrial Initiative"
2009/07/06
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Munich – 12 companies today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Munich to establish a "Desertec Industrial Initiative" (Dii). The objective of this initiative is to analyse and develop the technical, economic, political, social and ecological framework for carbon-free power generation in the deserts of North Africa. The Desertec concept, developed by the TREC Initiative of the Club of Rome, describes the perspectives of a sustainable power supply for all regions of the world with access to the energy potential of deserts. The founder companies of the Dii, whose regional focus is on Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), will be:
- ABB
- ABENGOA Solar
- Cevital
- Deutsche Bank
- E.ON
- HSH Nordbank
- MAN Solar Millennium
- Münchener Rück
- M+W Zander
- RWE
- SCHOTT Solar
- SIEMENS
The companies intend to establish a planning entity whose shareholders will include the Desertec Foundation. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of high-ranking representatives from German and international politics.
Among the Dii’s main goals are the drafting of concrete business plans and associated financing concepts, and the initiating of industrial preparations for building a large number of networked solar thermal power plants distributed throughout the MENA region. The aim is to produce sufficient power to meet around 15% of Europe’s electricity requirements and a substantial portion of the power needs of the producer countries. All of the Dii's activities will be aimed at developing viable investment plans within three years of its establishment. The initiative’s clear focus on implementation is set out in the Dii Principles for all future Dii shareholders.
Besides the business opportunities for the companies, there are other economic, ecological and social potentials:
- Greater energy security in the EU/MENA countries
- Growth and development opportunities for the MENA region as a result of substantial private investment
- Safeguarding the future water supply in the MENA countries by utilising excess energy in seawater desalination plants
- Reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and thus making a significant contribution to achieving the climate change targets of the European Union and the German Federal Government
The Dii planning entity is to be established as a GmbH (limited liability company) under German law by 31 October 2009. It is envisaged that other companies will join the Dii once the company has been established. The aim is for the Dii to include shareholders from a variety of different countries.
Representatives of the parties involved had the following to say about the joint initiative:
The partnerships that will be formed across the regions as a result of the Desertec project will open a new chapter in relations between the people of the European Union, West Asia and North Africa.
The founding of the Dii is a milestone in the Desertec Foundation's concept for global energy, water and climate security!
The establishment of the Dii is a giant leap by industry for the lasting protection of human life.
ABB has developed High Voltage Direct Current transmission technology to connect power grids and utilise renewable energies. Climate protection needs innovative technologies.
Today we are building North Africa's first private integrated solar combined cycle plant in Algeria and the region’s largest utility-owned integrated solar combined cycle plant in Morocco. Tomorrow Abengoa’s experience in transmission, desalination and solar projects in North Africa will make a significant contribution to the success of the Desertec objectives.
It is time that everyone gets involved to preserve our planet and leave a better world for future generations. This is why Cevital considers this initiative as a new opportunity for the EUMENA region.
We are pleased to participate in the 'Desertec Industrial Initiative' and explore with our partners the feasibility of this trailblazing project. The Initiative shows in what dimensions and on what scale we must think if we are to master the challenges from climate change both in ecological and economic terms.
E.ON is convinced that the future belongs to solar technology in the long term. We share the Desertec vision of exploiting the sun’s energy on a grand scale to supply power to Europe and the African countries. We are supporting the initiative with a view to making this great idea possible. Apart from this, E.ON is constantly expanding its involvement in solar power, especially in the field of solar thermal power plants – as envisaged for supplying power in the Desertec Initiative.
HSH Nordbank has a leading position in project financing for renewable energy, which is also very important for our home region. We are happy to contribute our financing know-how to the Dii.
Desertec is a fascinating initiative and at the same time a major challenge worth working for. Our highly qualified engineers and managers are already facing such challenges and realising large solar thermal power projects in the Mediterranean region.
We are pursuing a visionary plan. If it is successful, we will make a major contribution to combating climate change. The ecological and economic potential is huge. We will do our utmost to make this vision reality. Many thanks to all who are already giving us such strong support.
As a leading international engineering firm in the field of photovoltaics and solar technology, we strongly support this strategic initiative of trade and industry. As we see it, the Dii can be a great success.
The Desertec concept is a fascinating vision. We will contribute RWE’s energy expertise and, together with our partners, establish how and when the concept can be realised.
The SCHOTT receiver is at the very heart of parabolic trough technology. Our products have been in use in these power plants for decades.
Desertec can make a significant contribution to sustainable energy supplies. With its broad environmental portfolio, Siemens is the right technology partner for this visionary project.
You can also find this press release on Munich Re’s website (www.munichre.com) in Arabic, French and German. Other more specific information can be found on the websites of the participating companies and institutions.
Media contacts of the companies involved in alphabetical order:
Klaus Treichel
Tel. 00 49 621 438 12 30
Klaus.treichel@de.abb.com
Abengoa Solar
Patricia Malo de Molina Meléndez
Tel. 00 34 954 93 71 11
Patricia.malodemolina@abengoa.com
Desertec Foundation
Michael Straub
Tel. 00 49 40 32 507 795
Michael.straub@desertec.org
Deutsche Bank Group
Dr. Klaus Winker
Tel. 00 49 69 910 322 49
klaus.winker@db.com
E.ON AG
Dr. Christian Drepper
Tel. 00 49 211 4579 889
Christian.drepper@eon.com
HSH Nordbank
Ulrike Abratis
Tel. 00 49 40 33 33 11463
Ulrike.abratis@hsh-nordbank.com
MAN Solar Millennium
Sven Moormann
Tel. 00 49 9131 94 09 0
presse@SolarMillennium.de
Münchener Rück
Alexander Mohanty
Tel. 00 49 89 3891 98 96
amohanty@munichre.com
M+W Zander
Michael Gemeinhardt
Tel. 00 49 711 8804 1420
michael.gemeinhardt@mw-zander.com
RWE AG
Jan-Peter Schwartz
Tel. 00 49 201 12 150 23
Jan-peter.schwartz@rwe.com
Schott Solar AG
Klaus-Bernhard Hofmann
Tel. 00 49 6131 66 36 62
Klaus-bernhard.hofmann@schott.com
Siemens AG
Alfons Benzinger
Tel. 00 49 9131 18 70 34
Alfons.benzinger@siemens.com
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