NASSER KAMEL
5. The UfM labelled project “Tafila Wind Farm” breaks new ground for renewable energy projects in the Mediterranean. The Jordanian project will cover 3% of the national electricity demand and will create substantial jobs for qualified workers. Photo: Union for the Mediterranean 5
Overcoming financial barriers for the deployment of renewable energies in regional energy markets would enable more investments. works to enhance electricity exchanges and interconnections in order to achieve a secure, affordable and sustainable electricity supply for the benefit of citizens and economies in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Do you envision the creation of a water and energy community for regional cooperation?
The UfM Renewable Energy Market Platform aims to promote the progressive deployment of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures, in order to foster socio-economic development, contribute to ensure that all citizens and businesses of the region have access to reliable modern energy services, as well as to support mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Let us start by recognizing the close interdependency of the water and energy sectors. Water is required for energy production; energy is required for water distribution and sanitation, and for water production as well, through reuse and desalination. Creating an energy and water community is not a choice or something to include in an official document that needs to be endorsed and signed; it is more and more the standard practice for planning. All regional efforts undertaken to deal with this interdependency are most welcome.
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together the 28 European Union Member States and 15 countries from the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean, providing a unique forum to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Based in Barcelona and the first permanent structure dedicated to the intergovernmental Mediterranean partnership, the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean is the operational institution that empowers this regional dialogue between the UfM Member States and stakeholders, fostering synergies and promoting cooperation projects and initiatives with a direct impact on the lives of people. ufmsecretariat.org
•
WINTER 2018/19 REVOLVE | 33