The Economist article “Arab states are embracing solar power” mentions that one of the world’s largest solar farms is in the southern desert in Benban, Egypt. However, this solar farm is only one of 40 fields.

Big solar projects also appear in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to the Economist, investments in solar energy increased by 12-fold between 2008 and 2012.

The recent collapse in oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic might be the push that leads them to diversify investments in other than oil or heed a global call for clean and renewable energy to address climate change.

Happening in the middle east, according to the article, are:

Renewable energy capacity has doubled to 40 gigawatts (GW) in the past ten years and is set to double again by 2024.
One-third of Morocco’s energy source is from renewables compared to the EU, which is only 18%.
They find solar farms cheaper, faster, and safer to build and maintain than oil and gas plants.
Solar energy is cheaper to generate—it costs 2/3 of the cost of gas and a third of the cost of oil, even at today’s low prices.

However, these developments in renewable energy come with some challenges. Political instability, regional turmoil, and conflicts between neighbouring countries have either scared investors away or thwarted some projects.

Regardless, these developments are very encouraging for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The article says that one representative from renewable-energy projects in Saudi Arabia has seen an acceleration in tenders during the COVID-19 pandemic, as private companies are looking at business opportunities in renewable energy.

For your information, we are sharing this video of the Benban Solar Park, the biggest in the world.