The GCC has a poor track-record for transferring renewable energy research into commercial projects, as we report in . While the region's power capacity requirements run to tens of thousands of megawatts, intalled renewable power capacity totals little more than 12mw. That consists of a 10mw photovoltaic array at the site of the outside Abu Dhabi, a 2mw array on the roof of King Abudullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, plus a few isolated wind turbines. The Masdar City solar development was and connected to the grid in May of last year. The KAUST installation was just last month. Recently, every one of the GCC's six member countries have made further announcements regarding their renewable energy programmes, which mostly focus on solar power. But only one, the UAE, has reached the stage of awarding a contract for the construction of a utility-scale solar power plant. Here are the latest developments: UAE , the Abu Dhabi government's clean energy enterprise, has this month a US$600 million (Dh2.2bn) contract to the French energy group and Spain's to build the 100mw Shams 1 concentrating solar power development at an inland desert location. The plant is expected to come into service in 2012. Kuwait The government last week said it was working with to develop a 250mw . It signed a memorandum of understanding with the company in 2008. Bahrain The Electricity and Water Authority has for a contract for a pilot solar/wind power hybrid project. Oman The government expects to complete this month for a proposed 50-200mw solar project. It said it expects to be in a position to issue a for the project next year. Saudi Arabia The government this week the Finnish consulting firm to prepare an atomic and renewable energy strategy for the kingdom. Qatar In April, the US oil company and a local firm signed a to test solar energy technology.