Cutting carbon emissions will require both a worldwide revolution in energy efficiency and a shift from oil, coal, and gas to wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The energy efficiency revolution will transform everything from lighting to transportation. The shift to renewable sources of energy is moving at a pace and on a scale we could not imagine even two years ago. The energy transition is under way. Wind is not the only option. MORE

The German renewable energy giant Siemens Energy has just secured its first wind turbine orders within Africa, with orders for two new wind farms going up in Morocco. Siemens will supply turbines with a total capacity of 100 MW, 50 MW to the Haouma Wind Farm project in Northern Morocco, and 50 MW to Foum El Oued in Southern Morocco. China – the world leader in installed capacity plans to get 17% from wind. MORE

Algeria’s state-owned Sonelgaz has just signed the third deal in the MENA region to export desert solar power to Europe, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate with the European Desertec Initiative (DII) in the export of solar from the country, according to a report at Platts. Algeria’s Sonelgaz is already a pioneer in solar/gas hybrid power in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The company operates a 10 MW wind farm. MORE

As one of three North African desert nations now at the forefront of responsible climate legislation, through its ambitious solar plans and its participation in the visionary Desertec project , Algeria is ideally situated to host the event. The first two DII projects are sited in neighboring Morocco: the first nation ever to be almost half-powered by solar and Egypt which was named last year as among the top nations for renewable investment potential. MORE

Algeria sets plans to achieve 40% renewable energy by 2030. and Egypt ( Egypt in Top 22 Nations for Renewable Investment Potential ) following their progressive renewable energy plans, now Algeria has announced an investment of more than $20 billion in renewable electricity over the next 20 years. What’s more, as a kindom, there is no opposition party to sabotage renewable energy as the Republican party does in the US. MORE

In its haste to free itself from oil-powered electricity, during the Arab oil shocks of the &# 70s, France switched to nuclear energy. Since then, it has been the poster child nation for nuclear energy, getting almost 80% of its electricity from nuclear power. “The high grades will be depleted within a decade,&# says energy analyst Jan Willem Storm van Leeuwen, at Ceedata, which advises European governments on energy. MORE

Investment in renewables grew 104 percent in 2010 in the Middle East and North Africa region- is this a step towards a renewables revolution? According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme, new investment in renewables in the Middle East and Africa region grew 104 percent in 2010 to $5billion. But can renewables really break into the Gulf market and challenge the dominance of hydrocarbon-based energy? MORE

There is a new report out underscoring the amount of renewable energy being developed in the Arab world with Morocco, Jordan and Egypt coming out as the big winners in the region. The report released by the RCEEE (Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) in Cairo documents that there are currently 1.55 GW of large-scale renewable energy projects combined in the Arab world. Energy MORE

Could sharing a transmision grid for renewable energy bring Arabs and Jews together? Invited to speak by the Israeli branch of CIGRE in Israel, Jean Kowal, executive vice president of Medgrid suggested that the road to Middle East peace could be a shared and interconnected electrical grid that facilitates the addition of more green energy. Post-Revolution Egypt Wants New Wind Farms. Algeria to Invest $20 Billion in Clean Energy. MORE

This has been one of the most important drivers of renewable energy investment in the MENA region. Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt are among the most rapidly advancing nations in the world in adding renewables through the CDM. Desertec Plans Get Boosts from MENA and EU Renewable Policies. Post-Revolution Egypt Wants New Wind Farms. Opening its CDM will enlarge opportunities globally for renewable investment. MORE