Abstract
The research and the prototype projects in the GCC countries were in place since 1970's which first was started in Kuwait, followed by Saudi Arabia in the 1980's, United Arab Emirates in the 1990's, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar in 21 centuries. Now all GCC countries had conducted, relatively, large project in solar and wind energy, especially Kuwait (currently about 70 MW among a plan of 2000 MW by 2030), UAE (currently about 300 MW among a plan of 2500 MW by 2030) and Saudi Arabia (with an ambitious renewable energy target of 3450 MW by 2020 with a further 6000 GW envisioned by 2023 and to 200 000 MW by 2030). Such an acceleration in the use of solar and wind energy would have an impact. Major impacts are: (1) Major reduction in the solar electricity prices in the region; (2) More investors in renewable energy business; (3) Rise of innovative design of houses to utilize its structure in installation and integration of renewable energy devices; (4) Rise of many service and maintenance of solar technology companies; (5) Establishment of new academic programs and courses in solar and other renewable energy technologies in the higher education institute and technical organizations; (6) More concern and studies on disturbances to the main grid due to solar connection; (7) Major reduction in carbon footprint per capita in GCC countries; (8) Use of more efficient and low consumption household and industrial devices; (9) Boost in battery industry for solar electricity storage.
Highlights
GCC countries had the passion in using renewable energies since 1970’s
This is no surprise for GCC countries, as it is blessed with an abundance solar energy, as the annual average solar radiation within the GCC countries is relatively equal to 1.1 barrel of oil equivalent per m2
The first large solar energy project in the region was in Kuwait, followed by Saudi Arabia in the 1980’s, United Arab Emirates in the 1990’s, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar in 21 centuries
Summary
GCC countries had the passion in using renewable energies since 1970’s. This is no surprise for GCC countries, as it is blessed with an abundance solar energy, as the annual average solar radiation within the GCC countries is relatively equal to 1.1 barrel of oil equivalent per m2. The first large solar energy project in the region was in Kuwait (by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, KISR), followed by Saudi Arabia (by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, KACST) in the 1980’s, United Arab Emirates in the 1990’s (by Masdar), Bahrain (by Bahrain Petroleum Company and by the Sustainable Energy Unit SEU), Oman and Qatar in 21 centuries. Among these projects is the full solar air-conditioned school (The British School) in Kuwait using PV and solar thermal applications in 1970, full PV operated fuel filling station in Bahrain at Al Hora area in Manama, Bahrain, in 1980, The Solar Village PV system 350 kW (2155 MWh) to provide AC/DC electricity for remote areas from 1981 to 1987 [3]. Current share in total installed energy solar insolation operational capacity sources (kWh/m2/year) solar projects
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