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Solar Energy Related
Information
     

Saudi Arabia is also looking at alternative energy sources, including solar energy. The Kingdom receives some of the most intense sunlight in the world – 105 trillion kilowatt hours a day, which is roughly the equivalent of 10 billion barrels of crude oil in energy terms.

Solar energy is also an appropriate energy source for use in remote locations. As an example, it is used to power emergency telephones and signs along vast stretches of desert roads.
 

Scientists at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) are working on groundbreaking projects to make solar power generation more economically feasible.

Other programs focus on utilizing solar energy for water desalination, agriculture, and the generation of hydrogen. Projected applications for solar energy include using it to power water pumps, refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters and communications equipment, as well as to run pipeline anti-corrosion units in remote areas.


 

 

Related Information: Energy

RecentNews:
 
07/01/2008   King Abdullah: Saudi Arabia not responsible for high oil prices
06/24/2008   World Bank to work with Saudi Arabia on energy initiative
06/23/2008   Cabinet welcomes results of the Jeddah energy summit
06/22/2008   King Abdullah: Saudi Arabia to increase oil production


Other Documents:


Energy
More than a quarter of the world's proven oil reserves lie beneath the sands and offshore waters of Saudi Arabia. The discovery of these reserves and the building of the necessary facilities to make possible their use have made the Kingdom the world's largest exporter of oil and natural gas.

Oil
In 1933, Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud granted the now-historic right to the Standard Oil Company of California (SOCAL) to prospect for oil in the Kingdom.

OPEC
The level of Saudi Arabia's oil production varies according to the state of the world oil market and the quotas of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Refining
In the 1960s, Saudi Arabia began to build refineries for domestic and export production. Prior to that, the Kingdom had to send its crude oil to foreign refineries for processing and import refined products for its own use. The country rapidly expanded its refining capacity under the development plans in the 1970s.
Gas
Saudi Arabia has vast reserves of natural gas, including dissolved, associated and non-associated gases. Most of the natural gas produced is associated gas - light hydrocarbon gases such as ethane and propane produced in association with crude oil.
Minerals & Minings
As early as 1,000 BC, the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula extracted gold, silver and copper from the mine called Mahd Al-Dhahab (Cradle of Gold), located about 180 miles northeast of Jeddah.
Electricity
The five-year development plans have targeted the electrification of the country as a top priority.



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