Britain to Import Power From Solar Farms in Egypt

Britain could soon leverage solar energy harvested in the Egyptian desert to enhance power security in a world striving for net-zero emissions. This initiative will involve setting up subsea cables that would extend from Egypt to Europe across the Mediterranean. These cables would then import power generated by solar farms and wind turbines located in North Africa and export it to Europe and the UK. Whenever local wind or solar farms exhibit low output due to inclement weather, these exports would provide the shortfall. Carlos Diaz, director of renewables and power at Rystad, emphasised that North Africa is increasingly becoming a crucial source of Europe's electricity supply. He highlighted that Europe's demand for low-carbon electricity is set to increase significantly over the forthcoming three years. To meet this demand, Europe must consider other sources of energy beyond its existing infrastructure. This need has given rise to a series of giant solar farms being constructed or already operational in the Egyptian deserts and wind farms near the Suez Canal, known for its consistently strong winds. Jointly, these farms are expected to produce around 10 gigawatts of power, synonymous with about 10 UK power stations. The energy from these sources would be conveyed through a 600-mile cable under the Mediterranean, concluding in Attica, Greece. Approximately a third of the power would be consumed in Greece, with the remaining being exported to the rest of Europe. The use of interconnectors already links the UK's power grid with several countries, and this project is seen as another significant step in maintaining the nation's power security.