Valencia host the Mediterranean Solar Plan Conference

Valencia host the high-level conference on the Mediterranean Solar Plan within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. This event will gather together ministers and representatives of the 43 countries that make up the Union for the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean Solar Plan, born under the scope of the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)”, and launched in July 2008, is one of the strategic processes for sustainable development facing the foreseeable increase of energy demand in the Euro-Mediterranean region, and the need to cut back greenhouse effect gas emissions.

Its main objective is to develop of 20 GW of renewable electricity capacity on the South Shore of the Mediterranean, as well as the necessary infrastructures for the electricity interconnection with Europe. The Plan also envisages Saving and Energy Efficiency, as well as Technology Transfer.

A key element for the development of this Plan is the establishment of a suitable, new regulatory framework to promote the establishment of renewable energies, and facilitating the exchange of electricity.

The Mediterranean Solar Plan must be a huge step ahead in the development of the Euro-Mediterranean co-operation policy in the field of energy, started with the Barcelona process in 1995, integrated in the European Neighbourhood Policy since 2007 and reinforced with the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean since 2008.

A programme will be presented on the occasion of this Conference, organised by the Spanish Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade, with the collaboration of the European Union, which means to assemble the ministers of both sides of the Mediterranean shores, authorities of the EU institutions, relevant members of the major industry fabric in the energy sector as well as of the financial sector.

Energy cooperation in the Mediterranean region, the infrastructure policy within the framework of the Mediterranean Solar Plan, energy technologies, the regulatory framework and associated investment financing are the broad lines to a programme devised with a view to enhancing and easing the implementation of this Plan as well as its facilitating economic and social role in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Valencia Conference is therefore an appointment not to be missed for all agents ? public authorities in the energy sector, the sector?s institutions and agencies, representatives of the energy and infrastructure firms, financial bodies, etc. – who from their various fields will make this great initiative come true within the Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation framework.