Solar power to generate five gigawatts of energy for Saudi Arabia by 2020

[jpak]

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110507070012/Solar-power-to-generate-five-gigawatts-of-energy-for-Saudi-Arabia-by-2020

Solar energy is being seen as an important alternative power resource that will generate over five gigawatts of energy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 2020. The utilization of solar energy is part of the Kingdom's continuous efforts to target renewable energy in a USD100 billion spending drive aimed at meeting a predicted increase in electricity demand and reducing its dependence on crude. The country's demand for energy is expected to peak at 120 gigawatts by 2012 mainly due to key factors like an expanding and highly-diversified industry base that accounts for 61.9 per cent of the Kingdom's GDP and a fast growing population, which is expected to double by 2032.

To help meet this demand, the Kingdom is now looking towards solar power and other non-hydrocarbon sources as strategic options to bolster energy generating capacity by 50 percent within the next ten years. Expert analysts have stated that the region's oil producers will need to produce more electricity to sustain a regional economic growth rate averaging about 10 per cent per annum. The search for key alternative power resources has generated an interest among Middle East economies for new ways to generate power; marking the preference to export crude to maximize income and allocate natural gas to make petrochemicals. Reports also show that the demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing, with the demand in 2010 reaching 40 gigawatts and is expected to reach 120 gigawatts in 2032.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is currently spearheading solar initiatives, with the aim of opening the world's largest solar powered desalination plant by 2012 in the city of Al-Khafji. When completed, the project will supply 30,000 cubic meters of clean water per day and will use newly developed membrane technology and ultra-high concentrator photo-voltaic technology.

Saudi Energy - The 14th International Show for Electricity, Lighting, Power Generation, Water Technology, and HVAC for Saudi Arabia - will showcase the latest equipment, services and best practices to help the Kingdom formulate efficient solutions to its energy challenge. Taking place from May 29 to June 1, 2011, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the latest edition of Saudi Arabia's leading energy trade fair will comprise four concurrent events collectively referred to as 'ELAW.'

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[NickB79]

1. "Demand for energy is expected to peak at 120 GW by 2012"

Are the analysts saying that Saudi Arabia's TOTAL energy demand is never expected to exceed 120 GW into the foreseable future, or is that an editing typo?

If true, that would imply an amazing degree of energy efficiency upgrades on their part, considering the expected doubling of the kingdom's population by 2032.

That, or the authors are smoking something really, really good.

[kristopher]

2. Or it could be you didn't bother to read the article...

Since the second paragraph shows you're complaining about a typo.

"Reports also show that the demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing, with the demand in 2010 reaching 40 gigawatts and is expected to reach 120 gigawatts in 2032."

[NickB79]

3. So yes, it is a typo, like I asked in my first sentence?

"Are the analysts saying that Saudi Arabia's TOTAL energy demand is never expected to exceed 120 GW into the foreseable future, or is that an editing typo?"

The reason it wasn't obviously clear is that the author of the piece uses energy and electricity interchangeably, which they are most certainly not (most people seem to have that problem). For example, the total energy consumption of a nation would include gasoline and diesel consumption in vehicles, while total electrical consumption would not. Theoretically, it WOULD be possible for Saudi Arabia to increase electrical use and still decrease total energy consumption IF they embarked on a massive conversion of their vehicles to electric, their utilities to solar, etc.

But thanks for the snark, it's pretty much par for the course these days :rofl:

[kristopher]

4. Are you that ashamed of a minor screw up?

You wrote:
"Demand for energy is expected to peak at 120 GW by 2012" Are the analysts saying that Saudi Arabia's TOTAL energy demand is never expected to exceed 120 GW into the foreseable future, or is that an editing typo? If true, that would imply an amazing degree of energy efficiency upgrades on their part, considering the expected doubling of the kingdom's population by 2032.

That, or the authors are smoking something really, really good."

Now you are trying to spin it as if you meant something totally different than what you wrote. No one but you cares enough to give it a second thought; in the future, go with the honest reply of "Ooops" and move on. You'll be a better human being for it.

[NickB79]

6. No, I am not ashamed of my post

I'm not trying to spin anything; I was honestly asking whether they made a typo or if the Saudi Kingdom was truly investing that much into energy efficiency. The final sentence was more humor than anything else, something that is apparently lacking on the DU board :eyes:

[Nederland]

5. I would have more respect for the author...

...if he understood the difference between power and energy.

[kristopher]

7. Really, that is the most intelligent comment you can make about Saudi Arabia pursuing solar?

Or are you just trying smear the article content by picking at nits that mean nothing to the central discussion of the article?

[Nederland]

8. Sorry, just trying to match the intelligence level of the OP (nt)

[OnlinePoker]

9. Demand to increase by 80 GW in 22 years

That's 3.6 GW a year on average. If they are only going to be generating 5 GW of solar by 2020, where are the other 31 GW of demand that will be required by then going to come from? (I can't open the article where I'm at so apologies if it's in there). I know they were talking about nuclear, but I doubt that will be allowed to happen.