The production of key products, such as clean water, clean energy and a sustainable production of food represents some of our time’s greatest challenges. The Sahara Forest Project proposes a holistic approach to tackle these challenges. By using what we have enough of (saltwater, sunshine and CO2) to produce what we need more of (food, water, clean electricity and biomass), The Sahara Forest Project is the first step towards reaching the vision of Restorative Growth.
PRESS RELEASE 18.01.2011
The production of key products, such as clean water, clean energy and a sustainable production of food represents some of our time’s greatest challenges. The Sahara Forest Project proposes a holistic approach to tackle these challenges. By using what we have enough of (saltwater, sunshine and CO2) to produce what we need more of (food, water, clean electricity and biomass), The Sahara Forest Project is the first step towards reaching the vision of Restorative Growth.
On the 11th of January 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and The Sahara Forest Project A/S in Amman, Jordan. The Jordanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Nasser Judeh, and the Norwegian minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Jonas Gahr Støre, was present at the event as a sign of the Jordanian and Norwegian support to the agreement.
-This is a major step forward in the realization of the Sahara Forest Project states Mr. Frederic Hauge, founding partner of SFP A/S and President of the Bellona Foundation. –We are very happy with the strong support for both Jordanian and Norwegian authorities. It is encouraging to see that we share the vision of a more holistic approach towards solving challenges in the food, water and energy sector. The Sahara Forest Project has unfolded in remarkable pace since first presented, and I am confident that s SFP-facility in Jordan can be a reality within a very short timeframe, states Mr. Frederic Hauge.
-We have seen the signature on a very spectacular and potentially important project on renewable energy, where we try to pool our experience in some adventurous and entrepreneurial approaches to exploring the potential of this country and the solar potential of the Middle Eastern region. Starting in Jordan is really a promising starting point, stated the Norwegian minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Jonas Gahr Støre.
Within the Memorandum of Understanding the Sahara Forest Project A/S commits to conducting several comprehensive studies in Jordan. These studies will be initiated shortly and prepares for the construction of a SFP Test- and Demonstration Centre, located in Aqaba, Jordan, in 2012. Norwegian authorities are supporting the project and will also back the project financially.
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority intends to facilitate the necessary land area for The Sahara Forest Test- and Demonstration Centre including a corridor for the salt water pipe from the Red Sea to the Test- and Demonstration Centre. The area needed for the Test- and Demonstration Centre will be 20 hectare (200,000 sqm). ASEZA will also assist SFP A/S in identifying and securing 200 ha for possible later expansion.
A holistic approach
The production of key products, such as clean water, clean energy and a sustainable production of food represents some of our time’s greatest challenges.
The Sahara Forest Project is a new environmental solution that provides a holistic approach to tackle these challenges. The Sahara Forest Project has a vision of creating re-vegetation and green jobs through profitable production of food, water, clean electricity and biomass in desert areas, by combining already existing and proven environmental technologies, such as evaporation of fresh water from seawater (i.e. in a seawater greenhouse) and solar thermal technologies.
The realization of The Sahara Forest Project goes through three phases:
Conducting Feasibility studies (2011)
Development of the Test- and Demonstration Centre (2012-)
Large scale roll out of the project (2015-)
The Sahara Forest Project was developed in 2008, and established as a partnership between Bill Watts, Exploration Architecture, Seawater Greenhouse and The Bellona Foundation in 2009. The same year, the first feasibility study showing proof of concept was concluded, and the results presented at a high level seminar at the UN climate summit, COP 15. The Project was well received by among others Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, and UNDP, represented by Deputy Secretary Olav Kjørven. The EU’s Commissioner for Development, Mr Andris Piebalgs stated that “The Sahara Forest Project appears to be a very interesting example of the more integrated and holistic kind of thinking that we will need a lot more of in the future to make our energy, water and industrial systems more sustainable.”
In June 2010 the project was presented to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Oslo and to the Jordanian Minister for Mega Projects, Mr Fakhoury. His Majesty was impressed with the project and expressed that he would like to see it developed in Jordan. By invitation from Mr Fakhoury, a team from Sahara Forest Project visited Jordan in October 2010 to meet with the Ministers for Water, Agriculture, Energy and Environment. After several positive meetings there is strong support for the project in Jordan.
About
The Sahara Forest Project A/S is under registration as a Norwegian limited company. Shareholders are Exploration Architecture, Bill Watts and Bellona Holding A/S. The purpose of the SFP A/S is to create profitable innovation and development of environmental solutions within the food, water and energy sector. This is achieved by bringing the SFP-technology to the market in relevant countries .The Sahara Forest Project A/S is operating under the Ethical Guidelines for commercial initiatives set out by The Sahara Forest Foundation.
The Sahara Forest Project Foundation was established by Exploration Architecture, Bill Watts, The Bellona Foundation and Seawater Greenhouse. The purpose of the Foundation is to facilitate and promote research, knowledge and the use of technologies which enable revegetation and the creation of new jobs through the profitable production of food, water, biomass and electricity. The SFP Foundation has established Ethical Guidelines that applies to commercial Sahara Forest Project Initiatives. Should these ethical guidelines be breached the SFP Foundation has the right to deny the initiative any further use of the SFP brand and logo. A SFP Advisory Board has been established consisting of prominent business leaders and philanthropists (Elisabeth Grieg, Leiv Askvig, Ingrid Stange and Lois Quam). Philanthropic support to the SFP Foundation has been donated by, among others, The episode interactive play to get gems Grieg Foundation and Sundt AS.
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) was inaugurated in 2001 as a bold economic initiative by the government of Jordan. A liberalized, low tax duty-free and multi–sector development zone, the ASEZ offers multiple investment opportunities in a strategic location on the Red Sea covering an area of 375 km² and encompassing the total Jordanian coastline (27 km), the sea-ports of Jordan and an international airport. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) is the financially and administratively autonomous institution responsible for the management, regulation and development of the zone.
Media contact information
For further information or inquires please contact:
Joakim Hauge, (CEO of Sahara Forest Project)
Email: joakim@saharaforestproject.com
Mobile: +47 40 85 61 90
Mail: co/Bellona P.O. Box 2141, Grünerløkka, 0505 Oslo, NORWAY
