A project, which seeks to import solar power from North Africa to the UK, could result in the UK being powered by African sunshine as early as 2018.
TuNur, the company running the project, has already spent 10 million euros on development and hopes to bring two gigawatts of solar energy to the UK, with the help of the government’s Contract for Difference fund, which backs non-UK renewable energy projects by allowing developers to bid on contracts.
The Tunisian based company claims to have already collected 3 years of data from the intended location which has been verified by independent companies. In addition to this the Tunisian government has already backed the project, by adding legislation that allows the energy to be exported.
“This is not a back-of-the-envelope fantasy,” Kevin Sara, chief executive of TuNur told BBC News.
“We are working with some of the largest engineering firms in the world. This is a serious project. Yes, it is risky like any big energy project is risky. But there is nothing new about moving energy from North Africa to Europe.”
“We are able to deliver dispatchable, low-carbon electricity to the UK more cheaply than offshore wind and more cheaply than nuclear – all we’re asking for is the chance. Allocate us 2GW and let’s see what we can do with it,” he added.
Although the project is certainly a viable one, the UK government seems to have its reservations.
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change stated: “In order to reduce costs for British consumers, any future non-UK project would need to compete on cost effectiveness with projects in the UK before being allocated a contract for difference.”
“This means that British consumers get the best deal, no matter where the electricity is generated. We expect that all electricity generated by any non-UK projects will be used in the UK,” the spokesperson added.
