Karl Ove Ingebrigsten
Director of Low Carbon Power Generation Division
Ingebrigsten ’ s words “ the sun never stops shining in the Middle East ,” but the region ’ s optimism for this particular renewable goes beyond that : “ An important realisation has emerged : the region is coming to terms with the impact of the ongoing low oil prices , issues in the wider MENA region , and growing concern with global investors . The shift in sentiment towards renewables is led by the government ’ s approach to accelerating regulatory policy . With Doha emerging as the 12th most polluted city in World Health Organisation ’ s ranking for 2013 , sustainability has been at the forefront of all ongoing construction projects . Qatar has set initiatives in place to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance energy delivery by increasing the number of renewable energy schemes .”
The UAE aims to have 30 percent of its power generation coming from renewable sources by 2030 , with Kuwait and Qatar aiming for 15 and 20 respectively . Increased focus on green R & D in the region means progress has happened at an astonishing rate , one of the best examples being Oman ’ s Miraah project . It is set to be one of the world ’ s largest solar plants , saving 300,000 tons of emissions per year – the equivalent of removing 63,000 cars from the road . The majority of participants at a Lloyd ’ s Register briefing last November in Abu Dhabi agreed that the growth of this low-carbon market is no threat to the hydrocarbons business , which will still be a primary source of
16 May 2017