“Is this simply another way in which Europe will exploit Africa? What are the benefits for the MENA communities?!?”

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The current situation is based on exploiting limited resources like gas and oil, but solar energy is practically unlimited and as such, the owners can’t be "exploited".

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In the period up to 2050, the MENA Region could become as prosperous as Europe and urgently needs renewables for the generation of electricity and drinking water (considered in the TRANS-CSP study).

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Saving fossil fuels in the subsidized energy supply of African countries will allow selling the fuels more profitably on the world market.

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Earnings from export of electricity by using the unused potential of renewable energies.

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Jobs especially in the construction of solar collectors ==> income ==> building a middle class, instead of the emigration of well-qualified engineers.

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Consequences of climate change produced by Europe will hurt the MENA region first, so it's only fair if Europe supports the introduction of renewables in MENA

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Technology transfer and development of training programs and studies for renewables in MENA is explicitly promoted by the European side in the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean

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The electricity mix of the TRANS-CSP scenario in Europe in 2050: 65% European renewable energies, 17% solar electricity imports, 18% fossil fueled backup and peak load power plants ==> Even the loss of all 20 HVDC lines from MENA can be compensated for until they have been repaired or until a political solution has been found

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There won't ever be one huge solar power plant that could be knocked out in one go. Instead, there will be hundreds of solar power plants in a network of renewables, spread over several continents.

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Using inexpensive and inexhaustible supplies of solar energy, there is also the possibility of charging batteries or generating hydrogen as a possible substitute for fossil fuels for transport. Furthermore there would be the possibility of releasing biofuels for use in transport instead of using them to generating electricity.

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Solar energy is virtually unlimited and is getting cheaper as volumes increase (instead of getting more expensive as with other energy sources) ==> no competition and conflicts over regionally and quantitative limited resources, as happens with oil, gas and uranium.

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Oil, gas or uranium can be sold more expensive after a suspension of deliveries ==> interruption of electricity exports with renewables only leads to loss of revenue but no increase in costs.

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Interruption of electricity exports from a supplying country leads to loss of confidence in that country ==> less investment ==> fewer export earnings and less jobs in future.

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See EU: interdependence rather than autonomy ensures peace and cohesion

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Both public and private, small and large investors can / should / want to invest into power plants and transmission lines

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Time is short: Climate change and price rises threaten us ==> decentralized and internationally connected renewables complement each other

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"Your approach includes only North Africa. What about the rest of Africa and other countries?!?"

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For a cooperation and integration into the European grid, MENA is – because of its proximity to Europe – obviously more suitable, than Central or South Africa

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Renewables in general and CSP in particular, are also suitable for the rest of Africa and it will profit by the cost reductions developed in the north.

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Central Africa has large hydropower resources considered by the North African countries (eg. Egypt) as a strategic reserve for its electricity supply. If North Africa, however, uses its own solar resources, Central Africa remains its most important resource.

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We also campaign there and in China, Australia, America and India for a realisation of DESERTEC "Clean Power from Deserts," but our resources are limited.

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That is why we are founding regional DESERTEC Networks, which can benefit from our know-how and the studies.

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Would it be beneficial for Europe (the EU) to support the development of renewable energies in the MENA region?

If Europe were to pay for this start-up, with an amount of around € 10 billion, such financial support may be regarded as seed money for generating a secure and inexhaustible source of energy for European needs in the future. From the perspectives of atmospheric pollution and mitigation of climate change, it makes no difference whether reductions in CO2 emissions are achieved in Europe or in MENA. The key point is that reductions in CO2 emissions should be as large as possible and achieved in the shortest possible time.
Solar energy from the desert areas and wind powers in western North Africa are plentiful. This presents an opportunity to provide electricity and desalinated water in the countries of MENA and, at the same time, to provide some of the pollution-free electricity that Europe needs. This will help to reduce tensions over shortages of water and energy and it will provide other substantial benefits:

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The development of an economy based on knowledge and technology in MENA countries. This should reinforce their ability to promote development and eliminate poverty from their own strengths.

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Increasingly competitive prices for electrical power via economies of scale and progressive refinement of Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP), wind power and transmission technologies.

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Using inexpensive and inexhaustible supplies of solar energy, there is also the possibility of charging batteries or generating hydrogen as a possible substitute for fossil fuels for transport. Furthermore there would be the possibility to use biomass better for transport instead of to generating electricity.

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Setting a good example for other industrial countries.

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Wouldn't HVDC transmission lines impair the landscape and emit harmful electromagnetic radiation?

With "HVDC Light" technology as from ABB, over distances above about 500 to 600 km, underground power cables only cost about 10% to 20% more than overhead power lines. Unlike HVAC, HVDC grids do not emit any electromagnetic radiation which is of importance, as it is not possible, according to the laws of physics. An analysis by the German Aerospace Centre about the ecobalance of the conduction of the transmission lines can be downloaded here.

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Could nuclear fusion power plants or "Clean Coal" be any kind of alternative to solar power plants and the DESERTEC scenario?

Solar Thermal Power Plants are a simple, mature and practical technology that can be brought into play immediately. By contrast, fusion reactors like ITER are still in the process of development and are unlikely to produce any electricity on a commercial scale for at least 40 years. Until then, research and construction will consume many billions of Euros, more than needed for commercialization of the alreay operating CSP technogy. In addition, these reactors will continue producing radioactive material. Zero-emission coal-fired power plants will also require 30 to 40 years to proof their reliability, in particular that of save CO2 deposition.  
Development of fusion and Clean Coal technology is behind solar thermal and wind power technology by at least 40 years. However, for the sake of energy and climate security we must act now.

In several MENA countries, political stability is endangered by political stagnation. But this is not universal and other countries, like Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are developing in a more positive way. TREC aims to support them to overcome stagnation by building a knowledge-based economy and by providing opportunities for productive jobs. The plans proposed by TREC would contribute to political stability through the development of economies and of societies in MENA.
With regard to investments, it is pertinent to point out that large investments are currently being made in Middle Eastern and Northern African countries by the oil industry, not unduly disturbed by any worries about security. Furthermore the MENA countries could participate in investments in solar and wind power plants and so develop an interest in their operation.