GCC Countries Seek Skilled Professionals at Start of Solar and Renewables Boom

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Solar-sourced renewable energy is positioned to make up a significant part of the $25 billion that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are likely to invest over the next decade in new power generation. The GCC states are trying to keep up with the forecast growth in demand.

Adrian Ameen, the director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), said that as a result of high economic and population growth, regional energy demand and electricity consumption are increasing rapidly. Just to meet this demand, the GCC will require 100,000 MW of additional power generating capacity over the next 10 years, which translated into a $25 billion investment.

The increase in electricity consumption is boosting demand for natural gas and creating a gas supply shortage. It is also boosting demand for heavily subsidized hydrocarbons, which in turn is reducing revenues and volumes exported.

Dr. Khalid Klefeekh AlHarji, board member and chief executive officer of Qatar Solar Technologies, has forecast a boom for solar power across the GCC and North Africa over the next decade as the region has unlimited potential for the development and use of solar technology, reports the Saudi Gazette.

Touching on the key topic of the high-level technological skills needed to develop the solar industry, AlHarji said that the region was well-placed to become a major solar energy user, producer and researcher. "I see a huge demand for skilled solar industry professionals to help us meet our growth objectives."

Irena foresees that by the middle of the century, renewable energy has the potential to become a leading economic sector in GCC countries, Ameen said. With its natural resources, the region can not only meet its domestic energy demand but also could become a major exporter of energy derived from renewable resources, he said.

In addition, Ameen said that Bahrain is planning a large offshore windfarm; Oman is planning six renewable energy pilot projects; Kuwait is planning to install a significant amount of solar capacity; Qatar is considering investments in seven solar plants; and Saudi Arabia has plans for $133 million in renewable projects. For related information see February 25, 2010 -- Masdar to Invest More Than $3.5 Billion to Build Onshore and Offshore Windfarms, and June 2, 2011, article - United Arab Emirates to Raise Renewable Energy Share to 7% Through 2020.

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