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Middle East Reaching Towards 13 GW of the Installed Solar PV Capacities

The Middle East region has made significant strides in adopting solar PV power as a major source of electricity generation According to recent reports, the installed capacity of solar energy in the region is touching 13 GW by the end of 2022 While the yearly solar PV installations in the calendar year 2022 achieved 3 2 GW

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a leader in the region with a total installed solar PV capacity of around 3 GW This has been made possible due to the country's ambitious renewable energy targets and its investments in large-scale solar PV projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which has a planned capacity of 5 GW by 2030

Saudi Arabia is also rapidly expanding its solar capacity and has set a target of installing 58 7 GW of solar power by 2030 The country has already commissioned several large-scale solar projects, including the 1 5 GW Sudair Solar PV project, and plans to launch several more in the coming years

MIDDLE EAST SOLAR PV INSTALLAED CAPACITIES (2011-2022)

Overall, the Middle East's adoption of solar energy is a positive development for the region's economy, environment, and energy security The region's solar capacity will likely continue to grow in the coming years as countries work towards achieving their renewable energy targets and reducing their carbon emissions

The Middle East's shift towards solar energy is driven by several factors, including declining costs of solar technology, concerns over climate change and air pollution, and a desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite resources

In addition to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, other countries in the region are also making significant investments in solar energy For example, Egypt has set a target of generating 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035 and has launched several large-scale solar projects, including the 1 8 GW Benban Solar Park Jordan, which currently generates most of its electricity from imported fossil fuels, has set a target of generating 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and is developing several large-scale solar projects

Israel, which has a highly developed solar industry, has set a target of generating 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and has launched several large-scale solar projects, including the 121 MW Ashalim Solar Thermal Power Station

The Middle East's shift towards solar energy is also creating opportunities for international companies to invest in the region's renewable energy sector For example, China's State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) is investing in several solar projects in the region, including the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar PV project in the UAE

One challenge facing the region's solar industry is the need to develop a reliable grid infrastructure that can support large-scale solar projects To address this issue, some countries in the region are investing in energy storage technologies, such as batteries, to store excess solar energy for use during times when the sun is not shining

Other countries in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, are also investing in solar energy and have set targets for increasing their solar power capacity shortly This is driven by the need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and to meet growing energy demand

The Middle East's shift towards solar energy is also creating opportunities for businesses in the region, particularly in the areas of project development engineering procurement and construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance (O&M) services

Overall, the Middle East's adoption of solar energy is an important development for the region's energy sector and has the potential to create economic, social, and environmental benefits

Use Of DG For Electricity Generation In The Middle East Is Eliminated Or Reduced THANKS TO SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

The Middle East is one of the world's top producers of oil and gas and as a result the region has relied largely on fossil fuels for energy generation. Solar power has, however, become a competitive alternative to diesel generators for the region's electricity generation due to growing worries about climate change and the need to move towards a more sustainable future This article will examine the reduction in carbon emissions that comes from the Middle East's switch to solar energy from diesel generators

Let's start by examining the carbon emissions caused by diesel generators In the Middle East, diesel generators are frequently utilized to provide electricity to rural communities lacking grid connectivity. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that the size, age, and fuel type of diesel generators all affect their carbon emissions in different ways However, the average amount of CO2 released by diesel generators for every kWh of power produced is 2 68 kg

Solar energy, on the other hand, doesn't directly emit any carbon during operation Although the manufacturing and shipping of solar panels and other equipment results in some carbon emissions, these emissions are often negligible and are usually compensated within a few years of the solar system's operation

How much carbon emissions can be reduced in the Middle East by switching to solar electricity from diesel generators? Let's take an example to help us respond to this query Let's say a remote Middle Eastern community relies on a diesel generator to generate electricity at the moment, using about 100,000 kWh of electricity annually The village's electricity needs might be satisfied by a 20-kW solar system if it decided to transition to solar power The IEA estimates that a 20-kW diesel generator would emit about 53 6 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, but a 20-kW solar system would emit nothing while it is operating.

Therefore, the community would reduce its annual carbon emissions by about 53 6 metric tonnes by switching from a diesel generator to solar electricity

This is equivalent to using about 25,200 liters of diesel fuel annually in terms of carbon emissions Solar power offers numerous environmental advantages, but it can also be significantly less expensive in the long run than diesel generators because it doesn't need to be maintained as often

It is important to keep in mind that the number of carbon emissions reduced by switching to solar power instead of diesel generators will depend on a variety of elements, including the size of the solar system, the location, the level of electricity demand, and the age and efficiency of the diesel generator However, harnessing solar energy can often result in large reductions in carbon emissions

For instance, the government of Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter in the world, has established a goal to produce 50% of the nation's electricity from renewable sources by 2030 This goal includes solar energy The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) estimates that switching the nation's diesel generators over to solar power may reduce carbon emissions by up to 22 million metric tonnes annually.

Similar goals have been established by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which plans to generate 44% of the nation's electricity from renewable sources by 2050, including solar energy The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure estimates that the nation's renewable energy initiatives could cut carbon emissions by as much as 29 million metric tonnes annually

Solar energy can reduce air pollution and water use, in addition to lowering carbon emissions, which is only one of its many environmental advantages. Nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and other pollutants that are emitted by diesel generators, among others, can have serious negative health effects on nearby communities Contrarily, since solar power doesn't emit any air pollutants, it can help to enhance air quality and lower the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments

Additionally, diesel generators need a lot of water to cool, which can be difficult in arid areas like the Middle East In contrast, solar energy doesn't need water to function making it a more environmentally responsible and sustainable choice for generating electricity in areas with limited water resources. Overall, solar energy is more advantageous from an economic and environmental standpoint than diesel generators for generating electricity in the Middle East We will likely witness a sizable shift towards solar power in the area as its cost continues to drop and its efficiency keeps rising, helping to create a more sustainable and clean energy system

In conclusion, solar energy presents a viable and sustainable substitute for diesel generators for the production of electricity in the Middle East Solar power is becoming a more appealing choice for both distant and urban regions in the area because it lowers carbon emissions and offers cost savings With the Middle East's increasing adoption of solar energy, it is probable that in the years to come, carbon emissions will be significantly reduced and the world will move towards a more sustainable energy system