São Paulo – Solar energy may become one of the main sources of electric power in the Gulf by 2017, according to articles released this Thursday (4th) by Saudi Arabia’s Arab News and Dubai’s Khaleej Times newspapers. The project pipeline amounts to US$ 155 billion, and should generate a combined 84 gigawatts.
Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the region and the premier oil exporting country in the world, for instance, is aiming to double its power generation capacity by 2032, adding 54GW through renewable sources, of which 41GW are expected to originate from solar power.
Qatar, in turn, intends to obtain 10% of the power required for its seawater desalination plants from sunlight by 2018. The desalination process consumes vast amounts of electricity.
Along similar lines, Kuwait wants to meet 10% of its needs through renewable sources by 2020.
In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has set a goal of producing 7% of its electricity from alternative sources by 2020. The emirate gained prominence in the industry after it established Masdar, a company specializing in research and investment in sustainable energy, including the namesake sustainable city currently being developed.
According to two newspapers, Masdar has recently announced that it will invest 6 billion dirhams (US$ 1.633 billion) in projects, alongside Britain’s Green Investment Bank (GIB).
Solar power will be discussed at an event in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, from September 3rd to 5th. GulfSol 2013 will be attended by state-owned and private companies, which will discuss projects and showcase new technologies. According to the newspapers quoted, 5,000 people are expected to attend.
“It is apparent that while the solar industry in other areas is struggling, right across the Middle East and North Africa, the opportunities are there for companies to get themselves involved with a wealth of opportunities that are presenting themselves. Right now, nothing is hotter for solar than the Middle East,” said GulfSol manager Derek Burston, according to the two newspapers.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
