Miss little sunshine

Further to this post some time back, I found the following in the 2-8 Feb 2007 issue of the Middle East Economic Digest.

Abu Dhabi to exploit solar power
Government's Masdar alternative energy builds up a head of steam

Abu Dhabi is to build the Gulf's first major solar power plant as part of its Masdar advanced energy initiative.

Masdar, which is being promoted by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, was set up last April to promote sustainable energy in the emirate. By developing clean energy projects, Masdar aims to extend the life of Abu Dhabi's vast hydrocarbon reserves, expand the emirate's position in the global energy market and relieve some of the demand on precious gas supplies.

The solar plant, which is to be implemented by Masdar in partnership with Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), will have cpacity of about 100MW. Depending on which of three possible sites is selected, it will either be a standalone solar power plant or one which will also include desalination facilities.

Germany's Fichtner has been appointed technical consultant for the plant, while German Aerospace Centre (DLR) is the solar survey consultant. A decision has still to be taken on whether the project, due to be commissioned in late 2009, will be developed with the private sector, as is now the case on all ADWEA generation schemes."

So it is possible!