[The Vector] Solar Gets Serious in the United Arab Emirates
The Emirates Solar Industry Association was launched in early January 2011. The association is bringing together industry players in photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and solar thermal as well as those involved in supplying and subsidiary roles, like engineering or glass firms. But a goal of the industry is to aid international solar companies that want to set up business or bases in the Emirates.
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi is behind the initiative. The Masdar Institute is an independent, graduate-level, not-for-profit, research-driven institute that works in cooperation with MIT. Its mission is to solve world problems on the issues of sustainability. The Institute is situated in Masdar City, an emerging global clean-technology cluster that aims to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments, powered by renewable energy serving as a “living laboratory” environment.
50 government and industry leaders convened on January 9th to discuss solar issues and the industry, organized by the new solar association, which is getting active right away. “A non-governmental solar energy grouping will create a boom in the industry, allowing an environment where all private bodies can research and implement innovative technologies,” said Prabissh Thomas, managing director of the firm PTL Solar about the new solar association. (Gulf News. “Solar Power Takes its Place in the Sun,” by Manoj Nair. January 9, 2011.)
Sun-drenched, desert countries like the United Arab Emirates have clear potential to implement solar power. A UN environment program said in 2006 that the Middle Eastern desert countries could become the powerhouses of solar in the next century. Helene Pelosse, director general of the International Renewable Energy Authority (IRENA) said in a press release: “The potential for this region is huge, with each square kilometre of land receiving every year an amount of solar energy that is equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of crude oil .” Pelosse added that due to its great potential — in particular that of solar energy — the Gulf region could potentially become a major draw for renewable energy investors.
In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for example, there is 1,500 MW capacity of concentrated solar power slated for development by 2020, and the installation for 100 MW capacity has already started. The UAE has also invested about $2 billion U.S. dollar equivalent into solar PV manufacturing, according to a November report by David Tan of The Star.
I have personally been to Dubai in the Emirates a number of times, and see a modern business climate and a sophisticated environment. Last May, I wrote a little about both Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, for some background on the subject.
Companies around the world and in the U.S. will surely want to see if there is a fit for business.
[…] January 12th, 2011 | 0 TweetThe Emirates Solar Industry Association was launched in early January 2011. The association is bringing together industry players in photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and solar thermal as well as those involvedin supplying and subsidiary roles, like engineering or glass firms. But a goal of the industry is to aid international solar companies that wantto set up business or bases in the Emirates.The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi is behind the initiative. The Masdar Institute is an independent, graduate-level, not-for-profit, research-driveninstitute that works in cooperation with MIT. Its mission is to solveworld problems on the issues of sustainability. The Institute issituated in Masdar City, an emerging globalclean-technology cluster that aims to be one of the world’s mostsustainable urban developments, powered by renewable energy serving as a “living laboratory” environment.50 government and industry leaders convened on January 9th to discuss solar issues and the industry, organized by the new solarassociation, which is getting active right away. “A non-governmentalsolar energy grouping will create a boom in the industry, allowing anenvironment where all private bodies can research and implementinnovative technologies,” said Prabissh Thomas, managing director of the firm PTL Solar about the new solar association. (Gulf News. “Solar Power Takes its Place in the Sun,” by Manoj Nair. January 9, 2011.)Sun-drenched, desert countries like the United Arab Emirates haveclear potential to implement solar power. A UN environment program saidin 2006 that the Middle Eastern desert countries could become thepowerhouses of solar in the next century. Helene Pelosse, directorgeneral of the International Renewable Energy Authority (IRENA) said in a press release: ”The potential for this region is huge, with eachsquare kilometre of land receiving every year an amount of solar energythat is equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of crude oil .” Pelosse addedthat due to its great potential — in particular that of solar energy —the Gulf region could potentially become a major draw for renewableenergy investors.In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for example, there is 1,500 MWcapacity of concentrated solar power slated for development by 2020, and the installation for 100 MW capacity has already started. The UAE hasalso invested about $2 billion U.S. dollar equivalent into solar PVmanufacturing, according to a November report by David Tan of The Star.I have personally been to Dubai in the Emirates a number of times,and see a modern business climate and a sophisticated environment. LastMay, I wrote a little about both Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, for some background on the subject.Companies around the world and in the U.S. will surely want to see if there is a fit for business.Source […]