4. Case Study II: Beyond Desertec: Evolution of the Euro-Med Renewable Energy Plans

Tagliapietra provides an overview of SEMCs' energy fundamentals, particularly in order to outline the crucial role of electricity for the future of the countries' energy systems. On this basis, Tagliapietra describes the huge renewable energy potential of SEMCs and the potential benefits related to its eventual development. Tagliapietra illustrates the rise and fall of Desertec, and the emergence of national renewable energy plans. To conclude, he provides an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the various barriers faced by renewable energy in SEMCs, an analysis that serves as a basis for the formulation and proposal of a new "Euro-Med Renewable Energy Task Force" able to unlock the regional renewable energy potential through a join action of various transnational institutions.

Economic and demographic trends are the key driving forces of energy demand, and for this reason, it is always worthwhile to take into account the macro-economic background of a given area before analyzing its energy landscape.