The most significant step toward creating an ambitious, $500 billion solar project in the North African desert occurred on July 13. Executives representing one Algerian and 11 European companies gathered in Munich that day to formally launch the Desertec Industrial Initiative, a new alliance for developing solar-thermal energy. In mundane business terms, the 12 companies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a new company by October 31. The new company, named Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII), will tackle the creation of a complete network of electricity generation plants from renewable energy sources — mostly solar heat — and transmission lines around and under the Mediterranean with the aim of satisfying approximately 15 percent of Western European electricity demand by 2050. News of the project quickly drew comments from supporters and critics alike, many asking if such a venture was at all serious. A few years ago, discussion of solar energy
