Driving forces for renewable development in GCC countries

ABSTRACT

Hydrocarbon-concentrated economies would have to determine prospects and opportunities for the development of a more sustainable future. The vast unexploited renewable energy sources (RES) potential of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in conjunction with increased cash liquidity within new climate regimes is paving the way toward technologies based on renewables. In this respect, the objective of this paper is to highlight the current development of RES in the region that constitutes the GCC and to discuss the opportunities for wide diffusion and large-scale implementation. Finally, the key economic, regulatory, market, and technical RES exploitation driving forces are presented per country.

KEYWORDS:

• Gulf Cooperation Council states
• renewable energy sources
• renewable investments
• RES diffusion
• RES driving forces

Acknowledgments

This paper was based on research conducted within the “Public Diplomacy and Outreach Devoted to the European Union and EU-GCC Relations” project of the European Commission. The content of the paper is the sole responsibility of its authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the EC.