BRUSSELS — The European Union is betting that the future of its energy system lies under the North African sun.
On Tuesday, the European Commission pledged €5 billion of EU money to renewables projects in North Africa and the Middle East, which could feed electricity back into Europe’s grid.
The dream is that solar panels in the sun-soaked Sahara Desert and wind turbines along the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean generate electricity that is then sent through high-voltage transmission lines under the sea and into Europe’s grid.
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That electricity would replace imported fossil fuels, helping Europe meet its ambitious electrification and climate targets.
