International Law

My 2009 paper

By Karl-Friedrich Lenz

I have written a paper on large-scale energy from the desert in December 2009 (in Japanese language), it is online here.

In that paper I discuss the idea of using the Gobi desert in Mongolia for large scale solar projects, while also introducing the Desertec Industrial Initiative to a Japanese audience.

The reason for writing this was a research project at the WTO research center of Aoyama Gakuin University. I participated in the project which was focused on the possibility of a FTA between Japan and Mongolia. That project has been renewed, giving me reason to write again about the question.

I understand that DESERTEC is interested in exploring possibilities in the Far East as well. In their recent “statement on the emergency in Japan” they write:

One of our next planned projects will comprise studies to verify the technical, political and economic feasibility of implementing DESERTEC in several different regions of the world, particularly in Greater East Asia.

I plan to write a follow-up paper this year on the question, concentrating especially on the role of the World Bank in financing this kind of project.

Full post as published by Lenz Blog on March 22, 2011 (boomark / email).