The Desertec Foundation has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (JREF) to plan, promote, and implement an Asian supergrid which will be vital for the expansion of renewable energy in the continent. The JREF was founded following the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, with the aim of preventing further such accidents occurring in the future, and also accelerating the development of renewable energy sources in order to reduce reliance upon nuclear power, reduce the cost of renewable energies, and provide energy security to Japan.
The two organisations will share their knowledge and coordinate their work to develop a suitable framework for the deployment of the transnational grid, and the installation of renewable energy sites around East Asia. The vision is to connect Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, and Russia with high voltage direct current transmission lines.