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Ever-increasing energy consumption is one of the greatest challenges facing Europe and the world today. Most consumption is derived from fossil fuels - much of it imported from outside Europe, depleting natural resources and contributing to global climate change, through increased greenhouse gas emissions. When the EU signed the Kyoto Protocol, it promised to reduce these emissions by 2012, by 8% in comparison to 1990 levels. To meet this commitment, significant changes of behaviour are required now, both in terms of energy supply and demand management.

The energy sector is very crucial for the Mediterranean and it is a key factor in economic growth. The Mediterranean basin is faced with special future challenges (increasing population growth, high industrialisation and consumption rates, etc.). Increased energy and water consumption places stress on the environmental balance.

The application of renewable energy sources (RES), energy efficiency (EE) and new energy technologies are highly favoured by the regional climatic conditions, the substantial development rates and the resulting growth in energy consumption and fundamental to a high level of cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean partners. A coherent approach and specific joint strategic plans are imperative.

The EU has introduced a set of policies to meet these challenges through on-going initiatives and programmes.

OPET MEDNET supported Mediterranean cooperation in the fields of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technologies.

MEDNET aims to promote new energy technologies in the Mediterranean by:

• Disseminating Mediterranean energy market information specifically for the Southern Mediterranean region
• Promoting EU energy policies.

MEDNET aims to implement networking activities such as:

• A Mediterranean Web-based Discussion Area
• Discussion forums
• News and announcements
• Policy and financial issues documentation
• Case studies for regionally applicable technologies
• Electronic newsletters and publications
• Constantly updated database with major facts and figures on the MEDENER energy markets.

The initiative comprises five Mediterranean partner organisations:

• CRES from Greece (co-ordinator)
• IDAE from Spain
• ENEA from Italy
• ADENE from Portugal and
• ICTAF from Israel.

The first four are also MEDENER network members. The MEDENER network, brought together in 1997 twelve Mediterranean energy agencies, and is actively working towards a common approach to energy issues and the exchange of successful experience. Its partners are located in Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, Palestine, Spain and Tunisia.