Power generation equipment and services supplier, Alstom, has announced the strengthening of its renewables portfolio through a partnership with BrightSource Energy Inc. Alstoms move into the high-growth solar energy market comes in the form of an investment of up to US$55mn in BrightSource Energy Inc, with an equity stake that positions Alstom as one of the main shareholders in the company.
The deal takes place as part of a capital increase of US$150mn organised by BrightSource, a privately-owned company that specialises in designing, building and operating tower based solar thermal power plants.

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.

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.