While renewable power generation is only starting to emerge in the Middle East, the region contains “significant potential” for solar power, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In the Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2013, launched in New York on 26 June, the IEA says that “thus far, most development has occurred in the UAE.”

Earlier this year, the report says, a 100mw concentrated solar power (CSP) plant – the world’s largest to date – was commissioned in the desert of Abu Dhabi. The country also has 10mw of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. “Over the medium term,” says the IEA, “the UAE is likely to continue to develop its solar capacity (both PV and CSP).” (CONTINUED - 576 WORDS)