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.

ABU DHABI NATIONAL Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has revealed that more than 90 per cent of the hot water at its 408 bedroom Aloft Hotel will be supplied through energy harnessed from solar panels.

THE MIDDLE EAST has the opportunity to become a boom centre for solar energy in the next 10 years, according to AT Kearney.