EU wants African sunlight to power Europe’s electric revolution

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The European Commission has launched T-MED, a €5 billion initiative to develop solar and wind projects in North Africa and the Middle East, aiming to feed clean electricity into Europe
• The plan seeks to leverage private co-investment to mobilize up to €25 billion by 2035, with the goal of supporting 15 GW of new renewable capacity and creating over 100,000 jobs

🔭 The context: Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, exacerbated by the war in Iran, has renewed interest in trans-Mediterranean renewable energy
• T-MED draws lessons from previous ambitious but stalled projects like Desertec and Sun Cable, emphasizing financing, regulatory alignment, and undersea electricity transmission to integrate North African solar and Mediterranean wind into the EU grid

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The initiative could replace significant fossil-fuel generation with low-carbon electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions and accelerating the EU’s electrification and climate goals
• Harnessing North Africa’s high solar irradiance and wind potential also demonstrates the benefits of cross-border renewable integration to decarbonize energy systems

⏭️ What’s next: T-MED’s investment platform is expected to become operational in September
• Brussels will work with partner countries to simplify permitting, improve grid access, and strengthen regulations to attract developers and investors
• Success depends on coordinated policy, long-term financing, and resilient infrastructure

💬 One quote: “Our energy security must be based on electrified energy systems that are based on clean energy, modern grids and increased connectivity.” – Dan Jørgensen, EU Energy Chief

📈 One stat: North Africa and the Middle East hold approximately 2,300 GW of renewable-energy potential, more than double the EU’s current installed capacity

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