The Sahara Forest Project is a planned $30 million, high-tech agricultural facility in Tunisia that aims to deliver produce, jobs, and re-vegetate the desert. The facility, imagined here in an artist's impression, is expected to start operating by 2018.
The Sahara Forest Project is a planned $30 million, high-tech agricultural facility in Tunisia that aims to deliver produce, jobs, and re-vegetate the desert. The facility, imagined here in an artist's impression, is expected to start operating by 2018.
SFP
Humidity around greenhouses will be used to spur the regeneration of plant life. In a pilot project in Qatar, re-introduced plant species multiplied rapidly.
Humidity around greenhouses will be used to spur the regeneration of plant life. In a pilot project in Qatar, re-introduced plant species multiplied rapidly.
SFP
The SFP - a Norwegian social enterprise - will use core technologies that convert abundant resources into scarce ones, such as through the use of seawater to cool greenhouses and allow year-round cultivation of crops, as has been successfully demonstrated with similar techniques in Qatar.
The SFP - a Norwegian social enterprise - will use core technologies that convert abundant resources into scarce ones, such as through the use of seawater to cool greenhouses and allow year-round cultivation of crops, as has been successfully demonstrated with similar techniques in Qatar.
SFP
The harsh desert sunlight will be harnessed for concentrated solar power to heat and electrify the facility.
The harsh desert sunlight will be harnessed for concentrated solar power to heat and electrify the facility.
SFP
The facility also desalinate seawater to produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture - a scarce and precious resource where water scarcity is a growing problem.
The facility also desalinate seawater to produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture - a scarce and precious resource where water scarcity is a growing problem.
SFP
Desalination will produce large quantities of salt, for commercial sale.
Desalination will produce large quantities of salt, for commercial sale.
SFP
The project could generate hundreds of jobs for the local community, ranging from basic farming roles to highly-skilled technical positions.
The project could generate hundreds of jobs for the local community, ranging from basic farming roles to highly-skilled technical positions.
SFP
Joakim Hauge, CEO of SFP, says that Tunisia was chosen for both its physical and political conditions.
Joakim Hauge, CEO of SFP, says that Tunisia was chosen for both its physical and political conditions.
SFP
Tunisia is the only country that saw an uprising during the "Arab Spring" that has now transitioned to democracy. The new government is keen to promote the renewable sector and has committed to raising its use of renewable energy to 30% by 2030, from just 1% in 2015.
Tunisia is the only country that saw an uprising during the "Arab Spring" that has now transitioned to democracy. The new government is keen to promote the renewable sector and has committed to raising its use of renewable energy to 30% by 2030, from just 1% in 2015.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
This is partly in response to the country suffering severe effects from climate change, including droughts and floods. Desertification now affects around 75% of the country.
This is partly in response to the country suffering severe effects from climate change, including droughts and floods. Desertification now affects around 75% of the country.
FETHI BELAID/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A 20-hectare facility in Jordan will be inaugurated this year, with embryonic plans for a 4000-hectare facility that could generate 170,000 tons of produce each year.
A 20-hectare facility in Jordan will be inaugurated this year, with embryonic plans for a 4000-hectare facility that could generate 170,000 tons of produce each year.
SFP