UAE and Saudi Arabia shine with solar progress

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have emerged as the biggest solar energy markets within the GCC region and are responsible for the vast majority of installations.

Gulf countries are due to address energy related challenges at Gulf Sol 2013, which is taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), from September 3.

The event is focussed on issues connected with desert terrain and caters to high-level energy firms and contractors. Government and private sector organisations are seeking ways to effectively deploy solar projects and integrate leading technologies, according to Derek Burston, director of the UK-based Bowmedia, the organisers of the summit.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Burston says that the growth of the GCC photovoltaic market has been "phenomenal".

"Over the years, solar power has been acknowledged as the most promising source of renewable energy and GCC governments have demonstrated their keenness to shift from traditional energy sources to these low-cost and abundant alternatives," he says.

"Direct radiation in many Middle Eastern countries exceed 6kWh per square metre per day, making for excellent solar potential. Additionally, recent decreases in the costs of solar technologies coupled with rising electricity demand in these growing nations, if coupled with the right policies, could make the region a hub for solar expansion," adds Burston.

The Emirates Solar Industries Association (ESIA) estimates that the key Mena markets to adopt solar power will be Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait and Morocco. All of these countries have potent economic reasons for adopting solar technologies and none of these nations have been directly affected by the political unrest.

"The economics of switching to solar energy in the Middle East is more compelling. With oil prices increasing and solar technology costs plummeting, it is time for governments in the Middle East to turn talk into action," says Marc Norman, director of Emirates Solar Industries Association.

Gulf Sol 2013 assumes added significance given that Abu Dhabi has set a goal of generating seven per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and the state-owned renewable energy company, Masdar, has announced that it will invest up to AED6bn in alternative energy schemes alongside the UK's Green Investment Bank.

Masdar is currently evaluating solar thermal technology at its Masdar City project and has installed a field of TVP solar thermal panels as a pilot project.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, hopes to double its installed electricity capacity by building 54GW of renewable energy (as well as 17.6GW of nuclear power) by 2032, 41 GW of which will obtained from the sun. Riyadh currently boasts the world's largest solar thermal plant at 36,300 square metres, with commissioning announced in April 2012.