Power and automation technology group, ABB, has signed a service contract with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to provide maintenance for equipment and systems at the Gulf Interconnection Grids newly constructed substations. The two-year contract is worth US$8.3mn and will aim to optimise the grids reliability through regular maintenance and provide technical and emergency assistance when required.
Abu Dhabi is considering a proposal to use solar energy equipment on rooftops in the city to generate about 500MW of power, according to the executive director at the citys Executive Affairs Authority, David Scott.
Masdar, Abu Dhabi?s renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions initiative, has appointed the bidding consortium of Total and Abengoa Solar as a partner to own, build and operate Shams 1, the world?s largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP). One of Masdar?s flagship projects and the first plant of its kind in the Middle East, Shams 1 will directly contribute towards Abu Dhabi?s target of achieving 7 per cent renewable energy power generation capacity by the year 2020.
Oman has awarded Frances GDF Suez a US$1.7 billion contract to build two power plants. A tender board official told Reuters, ?GDF Suez has signed a 15-year contract with the government in a BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) model for which the company will spend 700 million rials."
An executive from state oil company Saudi Aramco has said that renewable sources could account for up to 10 per cent of Saudi Arabias power output by 2020 with prices coming down and a regulatory framework in place.
