Mediterranean energy demand to rise 46 percent by 2030

By Dilara Zengin and Tuba Sahin

BARCELONA, Spain (AA) - Achieving climate objectives are essential to manage Mediterranean energy security, the head of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies at the Mediterranean Energy Observatory said on Thursday.

Experts discussed the region's future in terms of environment and energy to improve resource management during the 11th Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (MedaWeek), of which Anadolu Agency is global communications partner for the third time.

Head of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies at the Mediterranean Energy Observatory, Amine Homman Ludiye said total energy demand was expected to increase in 2030 by 46 percent in the Mediterranean region.

"If the Mediterranean Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are successfully implemented, the total energy demand increase to 2030 will be only 4 percent," he stated.

Since the Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, a total of 189 countries have submitted their national plans which target aggressive growth in climate solutions -- including renewable energy, low-carbon cities, energy efficiency, sustainable forest management, and climate-smart agriculture.

These plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), offer a clear roadmap for investments that will target climate-resilient infrastructure and offset higher upfront costs through efficiency gains and fuel savings.

Ludiye underlined that if the NDCs are successfully implemented, it will contribute not only to the mitigation of emission problems but also to the reduction of concerns regarding energy security in the region.

"More efforts will be needed to reach the 2 degree Celsius target and to reduce energy security concerns," he added.

Ludiye noted that 184 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity will need to be installed in the South Mediterranean by 2030, while 274 gigawatts will be needed for whole Mediterranean.

Salaheddine Mezouar, president of United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP22), underlined that the Mediterranean had been threatened over the past 50 years by climate change as the temperature has gone up 1 degree.

"Over the next 50 years it is going to go up 3-7 degrees. We are facing issues of water stress, water scarcity in our region therefore we have no choice but to act," Mezouar said.

He added that more than 20 million people would be displaced by climate change.