Western Asia Boosts Renewable Energy with Wind and Solar Power ProjectsWestern Asia Boosts Renewable Energy with Wind and Solar Power Projects

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources East Asia (Kofu-shi, Japan)--The United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly Abu Dhabi, is currently investing in renewable energy. In general, the UAE is ahead of most Middle Eastern countries, however it is behind Eurasian countries like Turkey and Georgia. The latter are primarily involved in hydroelectric power, while other Western Asian countries are primarily involved in wind and solar power projects. In terms of power development, the UAE has been proactive, and has become one of the first Western Asian countries to incorporate both nuclear power and renewable energy into its energy mix.

Currently, Industrial Info is tracking more than $18 billion in renewable energy projects in Western Asia. Western Asia currently accounts for approximately 5% of Asia's renewable energy investments. By comparison, East Asia, led by China, accounts for half of the region's investments, while Southeast Asia accounts for 20%. There is a large chance that Western Asia will become a seat for solar and wind power in the next 40 years due to reliable wind and sun.

Most of Western Asia's renewable energy development is hydroelectric in nature, though most projects are small scale. Some large-scale projects are on the books for Turkey and Georgia, and Iraq is planning to expand its hydropower capacity beginning next year. As of now, more than 850 megawatts' (MW) worth of solar power and more than 900 MW of wind power are under development in Western Asia.

Abu Dhabi accounts for approximately 6% of Western Asia's active renewable energy investments, and like Oman and Jordan, the majority of its renewables activity is currently invested in solar power. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Abu Dhabi) is currently constructing a 100-MW solar power station, due for completion later next year. It has plans to start another 100-MW solar project within the next five months. Oman is in a similar position, though both of its current solar projects are due to commence this month, while Jordan's project is not due to start until 2013.

View Project Reports - 300020361 98500165

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.