4 Renewable Energy Sources on the Rise in the GCC

The governments of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)have recently spearheaded strong initiatives to diversify their nations' domestic energy mix. Renewable energy is the key to meeting the region's power needs in the immediate future. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, if renewables were a 10 percent share of the total energy mix and 25 percent of power generation, the UAE alone could save between US$1 billion and US$3.7 billion by 2030. Explore how each energy source is being leveraged into a groundbreaking project for residents in the GCC economic region. (Source: Industry reports)

Solar

$2.7 BILLION The estimated value, in U.S. dollars, of solar energy projects in the MENA region in 2015. These projects range across 11 countries in the region, where the cost of producing electricity from solar energy has dropped as low as US$1.50 per watt in 2014.

Hydro

6,000 The estimated power capacity, in megawatts, that the Grand Renaissance Dam will have once completed in 2017. The Nile River dam will be the largest in Africa, and thanks to a recent deal with Egypt concerning downstream water levels, the project can proceed.

Geothermal

105 The upper temperature, in degrees Celsius, of stationary aquifers under Masdar City in the UAE. Masdar has partnered with geothermal experts from Iceland to test the possibility of a closed-loop system relying on heated groundwater for energy production and cooling.

Wind

16,000 The number of homes that the Dhofar wind farm in Oman will supply with power when it is completed. The US$125 million farm of 25 turbines will have an installed capacity of nearly 50 megawatts.