• The 100MW Shams 1, Middle East’s largest renewable energy project, covers 2.5 square kilometres and comprises more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors. Silvia Razgova / The National
    The 100MW Shams 1, Middle East’s largest renewable energy project, covers 2.5 square kilometres and comprises more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The Shams 1 solar project generates enough electricity to power 20,000 homes in the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Shams 1 solar project generates enough electricity to power 20,000 homes in the UAE. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Shams 1 solar project, inaugurated in March last year, is Masdar’s second solar plant. Silvia Razgova / The National
    The Shams 1 solar project, inaugurated in March last year, is Masdar’s second solar plant. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The solar power station of Ain Beni Mathar in Morocco. By 2020, Morocco hopes to source 42 per cent of its total power supply from renewable energy. Abdelhak Senna / AFP
    The solar power station of Ain Beni Mathar in Morocco. By 2020, Morocco hopes to source 42 per cent of its total power supply from renewable energy. Abdelhak Senna / AFP
  • The solar power station of Ain Beni Mathar in Morocco. By 2020, Morocco hopes to source 42 per cent of its total power supply from renewable energy. Abdelhak Senna / AFP
    The solar power station of Ain Beni Mathar in Morocco. By 2020, Morocco hopes to source 42 per cent of its total power supply from renewable energy. Abdelhak Senna / AFP
  • A Nissan Leaf is displayed during the opening of the first solar charging station for electric cars at El Hassan Science City in Amman, Jordan in 2011. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
    A Nissan Leaf is displayed during the opening of the first solar charging station for electric cars at El Hassan Science City in Amman, Jordan in 2011. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
  • Dubai is building the Dh10bn Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, which is forecast to generate 1,000MW. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dubai is building the Dh10bn Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, which is forecast to generate 1,000MW. Antonie Robertson / The National

Business

In pictures: Solar energy shines in Mena region

Liz Claus

February 02, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

The Middle East could spend as much as US$50 billion in the next seven years on solar power, according to the Middle East Solar Industry Association. The solar body estimates the region will install 12,000 to 15,000 megawatts of solar by 2020.

EnergyRenewable energyMasdarTechnology