17. Example of the geopolitics of renewables: the (abandoned) Desertec project

In the 2000s, a vast project took shape: the Desertec project. The idea was to set up production capacities in the Sahara, taking advantage of the desert's sunshine, capable of covering one-sixth of European consumption. The project is being set up mainly by German partners, who would be responsible for installing the production facilities. It was to be complemented by a project led by the French, who would be responsible for transporting the electricity to European countries.

This project was abandoned for a number of reasons:

• the promoters were criticized for developing large-scale electricity production in Africa for Europe, while sub-Saharan African countries close to the Sahara lack electricity. This argument is debatable, given that the countries of the Sahel in particular have considerable potential and, thanks...