Investment in solar power in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco could reach $6.8bn.
The UAE is leading the way with the $600m Shams 1 CSP power project in Abu Dhabi; when commissioned in August 2012, it should be the world's largest CSP plant. Smaller projects include a Pilot Solar power plant in Dubai worth $30m and expected in late 2014, the Noor-1 solar power plant in Abu Dhabi ($750m, expected in the third quarter of 2015), and the 1000 MW Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai ($3.2bn, by 2030). Construction of the Al Maktoum is slated to begin in 2014. More planned solar power projects in the region include the $150m solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR) Project in Oman, which will begin construction next year and should be completed in late 2013. Another solar power plant worth $500m should be commissioned in late 2014 in Oman. The $525m Kom Ombo power plant (100 MW) in Egypt is also set to begin construction in 2013 (commissioning in 2014). In Kuwait, KPC plans to invest $5m in a solar plant commissioned in 2013. Two additional projects should be commissioned in 2015 in Morocco ($700m Ouarzazate plant) and in Jordan ($425m Maan PV plant).
Saudi Arabia also has big plans for the future as it looks to attract $109bn in investment to create a solar industry generating a third of the nation's electricity (around 41 GW) by 2032.