It has become a matter of urgency to give Euro-Mediterranean countries immediate access to the latest technology. To achieve a set of objectives these countries have to overcome a number of hurdles in technical and socio-economic areas. Most of the burdens to achieve this transformation rest solely on the universities which as an interactive mirror of society is continually adapting to changes in these fields. This process of technology transfer and dissemination should be facilitated and promoted on the principle that selection of the most suitable technologies and their adaptation to local conditions should take priority in technological cooperation. This would lead to a strengthening at the local level of the capacity to select, adapt and eventually to develop it further.

Since it seems highly unlikely that the Mediterranean region can significantly alter the growth of demand for fuel oil or find sufficient regional sources of oil in the short term, the energy requirements of the region will become increasingly dependent on imported supplies. A further problem requiring serious attention is the need to identify clean energy sources to minimize the hazardous effects on the environment of energy consumption using fossil fuel. New and enhanced solar technologies offer a critical means to offset these problems and add new sources to the energy supply mix. The establishments of intermediate institutions to project development are essential requirements for renewable energy development in the region. The objective of environmental conservation by means of renewable energy is a race against time in which the speed of the environment destruction has accelerated to a great extent. To secure extensive access to solar technology, regional cooperation is of the essence. The proliferation of new and renewable energy in the region is a stimulus to economic growth without environmental constraints. Besides legal and economical obstacles to the use of solar energy, there is also a lack of scientific and technical information that can only be improved by a local effort in research and training.

In this context we need to attract more young promising researchers to this field and encourage more bilateral as well as regional initiatives.

Renewable energy can be harvested using several different technologies such as hydropower, wind, solar thermal, and photovoltaics and biomass conversion. In contrast, fossil fuels form so slowly in comparison to our energy use that we are essentially mining finite, nonrenewable resources and could exhaust quality supplies within the foreseeable future.

The environmental, economic and employment benefits combine to form a strong three-pillared rationale supporting the desirability of renewable energy use. These
 three pillars work together in a synergetic manner. We now know of many ways to apply renewable energy technologies to achieve environmental, economic and employment benefits in a way that the results are greater than the sum of the parts. When combined with energy efficiency measures (as they should be), renewable energy technologies hold dramatic potential. As energy, environmental and economic policy option, these benefits are forming into a powerful attraction for policy-makers, businesses and communities.

Decreasing these environmental impacts and costs through the use of renewable energy technologies will save money and help preserve and sustain our natural resources for future generations.

Economic benefits of renewable energy use occur in at least four ways: 1) more efficient use of energy saves money, 2) decreasing our nation’s dependence on oil imports saves money and enhances national security, 3) avoiding the environmental costs of using conventional energy sources saves money, and 4) business growth surrounding the development and sales — domestic and international — of renewable energy technologies generates income and jobs.

Renewable energy technologies create domestic jobs. Jobs created directly by these technologies are in the design, production, installation and operation of systems. Typically, these are opportunities for engineers, programmers, skilled assembly workers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, plant operators and marketing and sales experts. Jobs created indirectly are in the production of materials, transportation and business services. Creation of these jobs helps individuals and communities, and strengthens the nation’s economy.

If we are to increase the international involvement in moving renewable energy technologies into the global market, some policy areas merit attention:

· Encouraging energy price reform in developing countries to help stimulate the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies
· Providing technical assistance, information, and training about renewable technologies, energy efficiency, utility management and regulatory policies
· Encouraging participation in renewable energy development by private companies in Mediterranean Partner Countries
· Expanding European Union trade and investment programs in solar technology with Mediterranean countries
· Building a domestic renewable energy industry, adhering to energy efficient practices and committing to environmental protection.

Policies that address some of these issues could help the Mediterranean countries make significant strides toward increasing and expanding the energy market and have the added benefit of improving the global environment.

Using renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines, photovoltaics and bioenergy conversion, creates jobs in a couple of ways. Jobs are created directly through the manufacture, design, installation, servicing and marketing of renewable energy products and systems. Plus, “indirect” jobs become available in the firms that supply renewable energy businesses with raw materials, transportation equipment and professional services, such as accounting and clerical services.

Typically, using renewable energy technologies presents new opportunities for engineers, designers, programmers, skilled assembly workers, plumbers, electricians, sheet metal workers, mechanics, maintenance and service technicians, plant operators, transportation workers and marketing and sales experts. And everyone benefits. Creating these jobs helps both individuals and communities, which in turn strengthens the nation’s economy.

We must encourage commercialization of solar technologies, enabling larger scale production and cost reductions. As production costs continue to decrease, market opportunities will continue to grow. Strategies for jump-starting market growth include: removing regulatory and institutional barriers; launching information programs to educate decision makers and the public; continuing to undertake cost-effective and reliable demonstration projects; and stimulating market demand through government purchases, subsidies, low interest loans, tax incentives and other such means.

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