When will the Solar revolution start?

There has always been a lot of hype and enthusiasm in the pursuit of Solar Energy. I find many initiatives dating far back promising unlimited clean energy from the Sun.

The earliest reference I can find from 1928 is the "Sahara Green" initiative (http://desertec-mediterranee.over-blog.com/) which envisaged turning the Sahara desert into green fields by using solar power to desalinate seawater and grow vegetation in the Sahara desert.

In the following decades every time there is an energy crises we see the world economy briefly putting focus on renewable energy only for them to quickly shift away once the crises is over.

Now again in the last few years we do see a renewed interest in renewables, although it seems this is partially driven by the dramatic raise in oil prices in 2008, this time the raise in interest in renewables could be different.

For example the "desert-tech" initative is receiving very strong backing from multiple international organizations. The oil rich Gulf countries have also started instigating their own renewable energy programs. Many countries have also reached consensus form the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Perhaps this time there is a real realization by the world community that oil prices will probably never go back to the prices of the previous decade. Although this will put pressure on the world economy it could at least offer hope for a sustained interest into renewable energy to help progress its development.

Welcome to Middle East Renewable Energy

Welcome to my blog.... Over the past few years it has become much more evident that climate change is indeed occurring and most of the scientific evidence points toward the raise in CO2 emissions due to human activities as the main reason for this raise.

Add to that, everybody acknowledges the finite nature of our fossil fuels, and despite the contradictions and views on how much reserve remains the fact is that it will run out sooner or later.... This alone emphasis the importance of preserving our fossil fuel (hydrocarbons) for use in applications that only they can fulfill rather than burning them as fuels. 

While preservation is important, many scientists believe that the sever impacts of climate change could well occur long before fossil fuels actually run out.

However, perhaps the biggest dangers from fossil fuels lay in how heavy dependent we have become on them for our Electricity, Water, Food, accommodation, transport, health .....etc. 

For these reasons, I have have always had a keen interest into the subject of Renewable Energy. I strongly believe that how we source our future energy is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in this age and will a big factor in the long term prosperity of humanity.

Most of the Middle East is blessed with an abundance of these fossil fuels comprising the largest known fossil fuel reserves the world. The Middle East has enough energy to supply its own needs and export to the rest of the world.

Moreover, the region has abundant access to the original source of all energy on Earth "the Sun".

With wealth generated by fossil fuel and the availability of abundant sunlight this region has a unique opportunity to take advantage and look towards building a better future by supplying the world with energy long after the end of fossil fuels.

On this blog I hope to keep track of Renewable Energy developments with specific focus on the Middle East and the GCC. I hope you join me and look forward to your feedback.