The company “Sahara Forest Project” (SFP), was able to grow vegetables, algae and other plants in the desert of Qatar. From salt water, sunlight and the use of new environmental technologies, this project aims to create a system of restorative crop, which generates the main resources and needs demanded by the planet clean energy, fresh water, storage of carbon dioxide and food.
The SFP focuses on a modern greenhouse, whose operation is based on evaporation of water from sea, using sophisticated ventilation system, cooling the greenhouse air. This reduction in temperature combined with high humidity inside, can develop a culture system with little water. In addition, a percentage of accumulated cold surfaces steam condenses, allowing collection of fresh water to irrigate crops .
After discovering that the culture conditions created inside the greenhouse modified those abroad, scientists have also planted crops and desert plants around the greenhouse. This phenomenon that did not count in the first instance, is a great advantage in order to maximize the production of vegetables.
The project is supported by Qatari fertilizer companies, and has only used 1 hectare with 600 square meters growing area. In addition, it has managed to produce 75 kg of vegetables per square meter in three rounds of annual crop. But the objectives of SFP are much more ambitious. Joakim Hauge (executive director of the company) ensures that an infrastructure 50MW (Megawatt) solar concentrators and 50 hectares of greenhouses salty water. They could annually produce 34,000 tons of vegetables, employing about 800 people, exported 155 GWh (gigawatt hours) of electricity and store up 8,250 tons of carbon dioxide
Currently, the SFP is studying the possibility of creating an infrastructure of 20 hectares in the desert of Aqaba (Jordan). According to Hauge, “and on this scale could begin to demonstrate the commercial viability of the project.”
