Heliosthana was unveiled at the Spanish European Union presidency conference on the Mediterranean Solar Plan in Valencia, in the form of a guide to building a completely renewable energy based nation. It outlines six basic steps taken in the imaginary Mediterranean island that are immediately applicable in most Mediterranean countries and provide the basis for an energy and economic transformation.
Fossil fuels are finite, supplies to Europe are insecure and threatened by both environmental and geopolitical factors, and energy prices are both unstable and destabilising. Also imperative for all countries is finding tangible and immediate solutions to climate change. Against this backdrop, Heliosthana describes a decade-long harmonious transition towards a sustainable energy system that respects people and the planet, while sustaining balanced economic and social development.
In 2010, Heliosthana is highly inefficient in its use of energy and is significantly dependent on expensive and polluting imported fossil fuels. Growing urbanisation paired with a rapid economic development, amongst other factors, were driving a rapid energy demand increase, which seemed out of control. High costs, uncertainty and multiple crises (fossil fuel price volatility and shortages) were affecting people and companies.
However, by 2020, Heliosthana combines low energy intensity (20% less than in 2010) with a promising share of renewable energy (20% of primary energy supply). Part of the renewable electricity is exported to neighbouring countries. Education, research and development activity and healthcare have benefited from the money saved due to reduced investments in fossil fuels.
Jean-Philippe Denruyter, Manager for Global Renewable Energy Policy at WWF International and Special Advisor to the Government of Heliosthana, said: “WWF supports sustainable energy development in the Mediterranean region and we believe that Heliosthana has become a role model for its Northern and Southern neighbours and an ideal partner for the Mediterranean Solar Plan. It highlights that each country in the region should elaborate its own solar plan, boosting prosperity and increasing security”.
In the Mediterranean, renewables projects have been announced; however the scale of ambition is huge and bold steps are still needed to move towards a solar region. While the Mediterranean Solar Plan has targeted 20 GW renewable energy capacity by 2020, the Desertec Industrial Initiative talks about a potential €400 billion investment in renewables.
The Heliosthana model is for the country to develop a strategic vision with a dedicated institutional framework, assess renewable energy potential and use tools such as feed-in tariffs and financial support to rapidly build renewable energy capacity. At the same time fossil fuel and electricity subsidies would be phased out while efficient energy use would be supported with regulation and support.
In the longer term urban plans would lead to denser and more efficient cities and buildings, connected with a reliable public transport scheme, and closer distances between working, living and leisure centres. The new vehicles combine low energy consumption and new energy sources, such as renewable electricity.
For additional information:
__________________________________
