ARABIAN GULF, LOW ON GAS, BUILDS NEW ENERGY

Here's advice to everybody in the Middle East who would like to get the US out of their country: Outlaw oil wells and build New Energy for yourselves.

Gulf explores alternative energy for post-oil era
October 28, 2007 (Gulf News)

WHO
David Weaver, Group CEO, ESR Technology

WHAT
Despite their hydrocarbon resources, the 6 GCC nations are experiencing natural gas shortages and exploring “alternative and renewable energy resources.”

Plenty of sun. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
This wise interest in New Energy is in anticipation of future needs.

WHERE
6 Arabian Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

WHY
- There are presently 114 power generation projects of all types in the region with a net worth of $160 billion. But much investment is going into developing non-hydrocarbon projects.
- Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company will spend $4 billion on a nuclear program development study.
- $500 million solar power plant study: Masdar Future Eenergy, Abu Dhabi . Design, supply, installation and operation of a 500 megawatt solar plant.
- UAE solar radiation: 2,200 kilowatt hours/square metre/year.
- $100 million hydrogen power plant: Masdar.
- $1 billion wind farm: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
- $1 billion “clean” coal power plant: Taqa, Abu Dhabi's national energy company.
- Waste-to-energy plants: Saudi Arabia.

Lots of sites for wind installations, too. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Weaver, ESR Technology: "The vast majority of power generation projects in the Gulf are for power stations using conventional gas…But the region is struggling to find enough suitable gas to meet future power demand and the first signs are beginning to emerge of major investment in the region into alternatives…It may seem surprising that, with all the available hydrocarbon reserves, alternatives are figuring increasingly in regional power planning. However this is displaying classic wisdom: 'In victory plan for defeat.' In other words, when times are good, build resources against future uncertainty."
- Weaver, on the Abu Dhabi nuclear study: "This project is not connected to the GCC's nuclear programme with the General Secretariat of the GCC budgeting $10 billion for the design, supply, building and operation of a nuclear plant for power generation and water desalination in a country yet to be chosen…"
- Weaver, on other development: "There is also considerable new activity beginning in the renewable energy field, principally in the UAE…"
- Weaver, on wind: "The research is on using wind as an alternative source for power in the region. It aims to supply up to 10 per cent of Dubai city's power requirement…"