Solar Power Rises in the Mideast, North Africa

Solar Power Rises in the Mideast, North Africa Arguably, the Middle East and North Africa are ripe for renewable energy investment, particularly in the solar energy sector and specifically in terms of concentrated solar power, CSP. One of those projects is a series of massive solar power farms spanning the Middle East and North Africa. Two projects under this Desertec umbrella are Morocco's Ouarzazate Concentrated Solar Power plant, which was approved in late 2011, and Tunisia's TuNur Concentrated Solar Power Plant, which was approved in January 2012. Similar efforts are being considered in Jordan. Desertec's CSP plants would supply energy to the MENA region and export excess energy to Europe. For the oil-rich countries of the region, developing renewable energy platforms is easy enough even with heavy subsidies; for the rest of the region, particularly North Africa, it is not so easy and investors are hesitant to take the security risk. The plant is a joint venture between the Qatar Foundation that brings together Qatar Electricity and Water, QEWC, and Qatar Solar Technologies, QSTec. One development that may boost funding for MENA renewable energy projects is the situation in Europe, where some governments have already cut renewable energy subsidies, particularly in the solar sector. One of the first major Middle East renewable-energy projects originated in the United Arab Emirates, in the form of the formation of a massive city, Masdar City, in the desert that concentrates on renewable energy, including electric public transportation. CSP, unlike solar panel installation (photovoltaics, or PV), is undertaken at massive plants where sunlight is converted into heat, which in turn drives a steam turbine that generates electricity. Those subsidies become more affordable when Middle Eastern governments take stock of the savings on rising domestic oil and gas consumption which can be diverted to more revenue-generating exports. Morocco's CSP station requires a total of around $1. The Moroccan plant will have a 500-MW capacity, while the Tunisia plant will have a 2GW capacity. A number of recent developments highlight the push for renewable energy in the MENA region, from Saudi Arabia's ambitious solar plans to Qatar's first-ever polysilicon plant and massive concentrated solar power plants across North Africa. In May, the Saudi government peaked interest in its solar energy scene by announcing that the kingdom planned to install 41 gigawatts, GW, of solar systems by 2032, and to build up wind, geothermal, and nuclear energy sources. In Qatar, banks have given new impetus to the country's-solar energy ambitions, financing the development of the first solar-grade polysilicon production plant to the tune of $1. In North Africa, Morocco has led the renewable energy race, first in 2009 with a $9 billion investment in a national solar plan that aims to eventually provide nearly forty percent of the country's energy needs, and second through an ambitious concentrated solar power, CSP, project. Ultimately, this will be the foundation of the country's solar industry as the plant will provide materials for the manufacture of solar panels. Solar investors in Spain, German, Italy and the UK are increasingly open to seeking opportunities outside Europe in order to survive in a potentially zero-subsidy environment. On this level, the Middle East is highly attractive. Solar Power Rises in the Mideast, North Africa Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 11/06/2012