Promoting renewable energies in the MENA region: Regulatory developments and possible interactions with future EU support schemes for RES-E

This paper assesses possible future renewable energy (RES) policy developments in Europe (EU) and in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries and points out specific requirements and potential barriers for the integration of renewable electricity (RES-E) markets among the two regions. The analysis focuses on the expected policy developments in the timeframe after 2020. Four different policy pathways are regarded which range from a continuation of the current regulatory framework to a full EU-MENA wide harmonization of RES policies. A set of criteria is developed to assess the compatibility of the policy pathways with present and planned regulatory regimes in two North African case study countries (Egypt and Morocco). Data is gathered through literature research and stakeholder interviews in EU and MENA countries. On this basis, major critical issues and barriers to EU-MENA RES cooperation are identified and recommendations for a transition towards a higher degree of regulatory compatibility are developed.