Saudis Switch To Solar, Nuclear At Home, Saving Oil For Export

Saudi Arabia is currently developing solar farms.

Saudis Switch To Solar, Nuclear At Home, Saving Oil For Export

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcm...s-switch-to-solar-nuclear-to-export-more-oil/


Saudi Arabia moves to tap another rich source of energy, the sun.

Sunny Saudi Arabia plans to shift most of its domestic energy use to solar and nuclear power, diverting more oil to exports, a Saudi official said yesterday at the Third Saudi Solar Energy Forum in Riyadh.

“The use of alternative sustainable and reliable resources reduces dependency on hydrocarbons and keeps them as a source for income for future generations,” said Khalid Al Sulaiman, the vice president for renewable energy at a center called the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.

In conjunction with Sulaiman’s speech, the Saudi government published a statement through the Middle East and North Africa News Network that emphasized Saudi Arabia’s growing energy demands — from 43 gigawatts in the summer of 2010 to more than 120 gigawatts in 2030— because of population growth and development.

But Sulaiman’s comments, reported in Saudi newspapers including the Saudi Gazette and Arab News, make clear the kingdom’s alternative-energy program is designed not just to meet the demands of future growth, but to reduce use of fossil fuels, leaving more petroleum to enrich the kingdom through exports.

“To meet this growing energy demand and maintain long-term economic prosperity, it is critical that the Kingdom add new power generating capacity while reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to produce electricity,” Sulaiman said.

Saudi Arabia also plans to create jobs by creating a solar power manufacturing industry, making and possibly exporting its own solar-power generation equipment.

“The development of solar energy in Saudi Arabia is expected to have a large impact on the Kingdom’s future economic growth,” Sulaiman said.

The kingdom is launching a $100 billion spending drive for renewable energy, Bloomberg reported last week. Saudi and French officials signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement last month to develop nuclear power facilities in Saudi Arabia.

 

Saudi Electricity Company and Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. ( Japanese refiner) have joined hands to build a 500 kilowatt solar power plant on Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Island

 

Fyi...............

 

It might have something to do with Saudi being a desert....

 

I see they are buying the panels from Japan.

Why not use one of Obama's pet solar companies?

 

Saudi Arabia will be manufacturing solar panels in the downstream manufacturing located at Yanbu and Jubail.

 

Cause they dont actually make anything except debt, and bankruptcy paperwork....

 

They have lots of oil money.

So maybe they can afford to "invest" $23 million per job created.

 

They get a lot of bang for their buck.. because they can study, plan and execute.

We seem so bogged down in extreme partisanship instead of rational examination of the challenges we face.

 

Ronnie Reaganista showed the way for solar in a con world, by ripping Carter's solar units off the White House roof, and taking 2 giant steps backwards for America.

 

Yeah, that's really a shame. Once again, due to Republican energy policies that have prevented this country from gearing up.

 

He did do that, didn't he.

I think our problem is that we have had very little confidence in our leadership.

Listen to the conversations and debates among the candidates.. Very little substance..

 

We've got a few deserts as well. I don't think that's the stumbling block.

 

I assume that neither of us gives a (*)(*)(*)(*) about solar panels in Saudi Arabia.

What I get from your story is that if the Saudi's are adopting solar energy then America better do it too.

So you post this as an in-your-face reminder that President Zero knows what's best and the rest of us don't.

Well, I like solar energy too when it makes sense.

But I don't think Obama is wise to pour money into solar panels just because it's trendy and ALL THE OTHER KIDS ARE DOING IT!

If he gives $500 million to a solar panel maker and the company loses 100% of the cost on every panel they sell before going out of business then we need to find a better way to compete.

That is just plain stupid even for a loser like Obama.

 

Stumbling Block???

Thats exactly what we do..

 

Solyndra may have simply ripped off everyone.. their investors and the government.

Fact is the US should be able to manufacture residential size solar panels.. but I suspect those guys sold everyone a bill of goods, jumped on the "green" bandwagon and never were serious about their product.

I think the advantage the Saudis have is the collective WILL to do it right rather than the insane quarreling.

 

It could be a stumbling block if there is any possible chance of endangering a lizard or a bug that the lizard likes to eat.

Then it will be a battle of the libs as the wacko environmentalists sue the Obama crony capitalists in court.

 

Let's be clear.

The nuclear part will generate far far far more electricity for far far far less cost.

Also, we could not build them here in the U.S.A. thanks to envirowhack liberals.

 

Not just Solyandra.

According to reports the White House knew that Solyandra was going to fail and Obama gave them the money anyway.

That's how much he values a photo op and how little he cares about managing the taxpayers money.

 

Then Obama certainly screwed up.. Much like the Republican babydoll ENRON.

 

Enron crossed party lines but it's past tense.

Obama is screwing up now and tomorrow if we let him.

 

I would suspect that Obama is still stinging from the Solyndra fiasco.

 

you should stop getting reports on talk radio

 

I wonder if their EPA will allow the solar field... who is looking out for the dorcas gazelle.

 

Oh they have protected habitat for the Dorcas and the Ibex.. baboons etc.

See Al Sooda or King Khalid wildlife preserve.