Miracle or mirage? The promise and peril of desert energy part 2

Consisting of two parts, this article explores the history and challenges facing the Gobitec project, an ambitious proposal to build a multibillion dollar solar power system in the Gobi desert to export electricity throughout Northeast Asia. The first part of our study detailed the primary methods of data collection involved—research interviews, site visits, and a literature review—as well as the history of the Gobitec concept and its close relation to the Desertec concept in North Africa and Europe. Part 1 also discussed the “promise” of very large solar systems in deserts, namely improved security of supply and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, this part of our study finds that such projects also face a list of serious – and perhaps insurmountable – technical, economic, political, and social barriers. It concludes by drawing implications for large-scale energy projects and energy policymaking more broadly.

► Gobitec is a proposed multibillion dollar solar power system in the Gobi desert.
► It could improve security of supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
► It also faces serious technical, economic, political, and social barriers.