Saudis Plan 41,000 Megawatts of Solar for 121,000-Megawatt Demand Through 2032

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Saudi Arabia will attempt to build about 41,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity over the next 20 years, which would meet about 33% of the expected total peak power demand of 121,000 MW in 2032. This additional solar power would be more than any single country has installed to date.

The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), which was set up to give advice on the country's energy mix, said that the aim should be to build 16,000 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power and 25,000 MW of concentrated solar capacity by 2032.

Currently, the world's largest oil-producing country has less than 50 MW of solar power after claiming, some time ago, that it would become a major solar producer. If it makes the target for 2032, it will become a top player in the solar league.

In 2010 and 2011, Germany installed more than 7,000 MW of solar power in both years and had a total of 25,000 MW installed by the end of 2011.

In order to secure base load power supplies, Saudi Arabia is planning for about 21,000 MW of nuclear power by 2032. Oil- and gas-fired power plants will still supply 60,500 MW in 2032, which is about half the total forecast. Geothermal and waste-to-energy projects will supply about 4,000 MW. The nuclear build program would put the country behind China, India, Russia and the U.S in terms of new nuclear plants over the 20-year period.

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