So+how+does+this+all+tie+together?

In short, and in the ideal, a plan like this has positive aspects for every nation involved. North African and Middle Eastern nations are supplied with a consistent and renewable source of energy and water to meet their expected future demands as well as having energy to export to Europe. Europe, which already depends heavily on North Africa (10.7% of their crude oil and 16.7% of their gas total imports) [11] and the Middle East for fossil fuels will continue to depend on MENA for energy, but the source of that energy will now be considered renewable and thus the carbon emissions would drop significantly. Even a 'pessimistic' projection of renewable implementation in MENA would greatly decrease the total greenhouse gases worldwide [9]. In a case known as the 'Final Report' it was calculated that MENA countries could export up to 625 TWh/y by 2050, roughly 15% of the total European demand [6]. Note that this figure is in addition to meeting local energy and water demands throughout MENA.

Furthermore, many of the developing and transitional countries are in the MENA region. Building such a large infrastructure necessary for transnational renewable energy grids would create jobs as well as leave a trail of local water and energy where those are currently scarce. This transition will allow MENA countries to place their investments in local infrastructure, accumulation of local expertise and increased national contentment through supplying more basic needs. Fortunately nearly 50% of the investment associated with building this energy system would include materials such as steel, concrete, mirrors and labor, all of which have a high likelihood of being provided locally [9]. There are therefore tremendous benefits to MENA nations involved in this transnational system as well as supplying Europe with a steady renewable source of energy.

For Europe as well as the MENA countries, power supplies should continue to run as consistent as they currently do. Even if a nation were to break out in war or make a political move there are numerous power lines planned (some already implemented) that can bypass those regions [11]. Additionally no one-specific region is relied on for exports; if a nation were to shut its exports, it may only have supplied 0.05% of Southern Europe demand, which can be easily picked up elsewhere until political stability is achieved. This is reinforced by the idea of having numerous nations tied into a large grid, and each nation producing what renewable resources it can based on its local renewable feedstock [15].