Gulf country orientation of Renewable energy Research Paper

Gulf country orientation of Renewable energy - Research Paper Example Given the potential for renewable energy in the GCC and the need for renewable energy due to large scale infrastructure development and reliance on energy, a number of renewable energy projects have been undertaken in the GCC states (Alnaser and Alnaser, 2011). This paper presents an overview of the renewable energy orientation in the Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) make up the six states in the GCC and are regarded as among the world’s ‘major oil and natural gas producing countries’ (Reiche, 2010: 2395). The GCC states are ranked among the world’s top 25 carbon dioxide emitters ‘per capita’ (Reiche, 2010: 2395). Due to infrastructure and economic development in the GCC, the demand for electricity has increased exponentially and the GCC states have been forced to consider renewable energy sources. With an abundant source of solar and wind energy, it is hardly surprising that the GCC countries have taken the initiative to plan for the implementation of renewable energy as a solution to the pending energy crisis brought on by high demands for electricity (Hertog and Luciani, 2009). There are three main advantages to GCC states in implementing renewable energy sources. The first advantage is a reduction in the cost of power plants together with reduced costs in the transmitting and distributing operations. Secondly, with reliance on renewable energy sources at home, the GCC states can increase their oil and natural gas exports which would normally be put to use locally and finally, GCC states would benefit from a reduction in carbon monoxide emissions from conventional power plants (Sharples and Radhi, 2013). The European Union (EU), as a driver of renewable energy elsewhere signed the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network agreement with the GCC in 2010. In signing the EU-GCC Lean Energy Network, the EU has undertaken to and taken action for the promotion and ‘transfer of expertise and