The dark side of European solar panels in North-Africa episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 4, 2026 · 1H 26M

The dark side of European solar panels in North-Africa

from De Balie

Europe wants to become independent from fossil fuels and is feverishly searching for new sources of green energy. This quest is leading not only to wind farms and solar panels within the EU, but also to major investments beyond European borders, such as in North Africa.Yet behind the promise of green progress lies a shadow side. How sustainable is an energy policy that depends on countries where human rights are under pressure and that can hardly meet their own energy needs? And how does the local population actually view the EU’s role? Could this be a new form of neocolonialism? In conversation with investigative journalist at Follow The Money and author Ties Gijzel, writer, researcher and former correspondent Africa Daaf Borren, director Africa In Motion and founder Equal Trade Alliance Max Koffi and Fatima zahra Tichoua. Fatima zahra Tichoua is a Moroccan environmental advocate and member of the Political Bureau of the Green Party of Morocco. She also serves as a member of the Climate and Biodiversity Committee within the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. Currently, she is working as a Project Coordinator at the Climate Action Network Arab World (CANAW), in collaboration with Climate Action Network International (CAN-I). Her work focuses on advancing climate justice, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development across the MENA region.Programmamaker: Eloïse KasiusModerator: Katarina SchulIn samenwerking met: International Foundation GroenlinksMogelijk gemaakt door: VfondsZie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind the promise of green progress lies a shadow side. How sustainable is an energy policy that depends on countries where human rights are under pressure and that can hardly meet their own energy needs? And how does the local population actually view the EU’s role? Could this be a new form of neocolonialism?

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The dark side of European solar panels in North-Africa

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Europe wants to become independent from fossil fuels and is feverishly searching for new sources of green energy. This quest is leading not only to wind farms and solar panels within the EU, but also to major investments beyond European borders,...

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