Unions have expressed interest in getting involved in the solar energy projects which are designed to export energy from the countries of the Maghreb (North Africa) towards Europe. Some of these link up with the broader development of the so-called Mediterranean Ring and the European Supergrid. These projects have implications for workers in the energy sector and for the development of national and regional energy systems and policies. It is important for the unions to get a sense of what these projects imply, both for their existing members and for their potential members. The issues to be considered could include:
· Public or private sector investment and jobs
· Trade union involvement
· Energy production for export or for domestic consumption
· Social and environmental considerations of large-scale solar production
· Integration of Northern African energy systems with those of Europe
· Energy systems, as imposed by the European model (which has cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and allowed massive corporate and shareholder profits). Attached is an initial study of the implications of these projects, commissioned by PSI. This study will be supplemented by national inputs and regional updates. PSI welcomes any comments contact point: David Boys, PSI Utilities and Pensions Officer.
· Public or private sector investment and jobs
· Trade union involvement
· Energy production for export or for domestic consumption
· Social and environmental considerations of large-scale solar production
· Integration of Northern African energy systems with those of Europe
· Energy systems, as imposed by the European model (which has cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and allowed massive corporate and shareholder profits). Attached is an initial study of the implications of these projects, commissioned by PSI. This study will be supplemented by national inputs and regional updates. PSI welcomes any comments contact point: David Boys, PSI Utilities and Pensions Officer.
http://www.world-psi.org/TemplateEN.cfm?Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFileID=34741
