Abu Dhabi: Experts taking part in the solar energy conference which was held in Abu Dhabi recently said solar energy is a viable part of the generation mix for several Gulf countries today.
"The evolution and advancement of solar energy is rapidly becoming a priority of energy policies pursued by most countries in the Middle East and North Africa, whether oil and natural gas producers or not," said Vahid Fotuhi, director of BP solar for the Middle East and North Africa region.
Fotuhi said in non-oil Arab countries, growing interest is being shown in solar power and other renewable energy sources.
Ambitious targets
Philipp Sonnauer, Siemens sales and bid manager at the renewable division in the Middle East region, said the transition to clean energy will be hastened by a fall in the price of solar-panel technology, already down by half from three years ago.
Sonnauer said: "The decline in the cost of solar energy over the past few years has made solar energy solutions much more competitive in the market."
Ivano Iannelli, CEO of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, told Gulf News the UAE has set ambitious solar targets — seven per cent in Abu Dhabi by 2020 and five per cent in Dubai by 2030.
