Abdul Rahman Al-Badri, member of the Research Committee at the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), pointed out that the first scientific communication to achieve this was a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz City and the US company IBM in 2009. This project included the development of solar cells to be used in the desalination of water as part of the King Abdullah Initiative for solar-powered desalination.

The project aims to achieve the supply of low-cost energy in order for it to be competitive with petroleum energy. A research team from KACST participated in the development of manufactured solar cells made from silicon and gallium arsenic. These cells used in two different projects - the Al-Khafji project for desalination and the Rabigh project - as an initial step to generalize the experience in different areas in the Kingdom in the east and west coasts to provide potable water. 

In its first in-depth review of Morocco's energy policy, the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that the North African country's overall strategy is very much on target, with notable advances in solar, wind and on fuel subsidy reform.

By 2020, Morocco is aiming to install 2 GW of solar, 2 GW of wind power and increase to 2 GW hydropower capacity in the country. The IEA says renewables "should represent 42% of installed capacity by 2020."

Morocco's first commercial concentrated solar power project, the 160 MW Ouarzazate I CSP Project, was launched at last year in Ouarzazate with foreign investment and the support of multi-lateral development agencies, including Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. Last month the World Bank approved some $520 million in loans and grants to the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) to support the second and third phases of the CSP project, including development of 350 MW. In addition, the first wind farms - 600 MW -- are in operation with more than 1 GW currently in construction or in the planning.

The directive of the Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) has stated that renewable energies should account for 25 per cent of the total capacity available, he said. 

"Depending on renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, began decades ago. For example, the United States generates 20 per cent of electricity from renewable energy, whether solar or wind, and in Europe, some countries generate 50 per cent of electric power consumption. That resulted in reducing the $10 per kilowatt cost to less than 22 cents in 2013," Al Magdheri added.

He said that there are seven renewable energy projects on hand in different areas of the Sultanate, including a 300kw solar energy project in Al Mazyunah in Dhofar Governorate, which is expected to be complete in April next year. Other projects are expected to come up in Ibri, Al Wusta, Thumrait, Rakhyut and some other areas, he added.   

HM the King's Personal Representative and Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE) President His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al-Khalifa is following up the green scheme. "Abu Dhabi-based Masdar company, a world leader in renewable energy, is currently conducting feasibility studies on the two sites", SCE Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohammed Mubarak bin Daina said, pointing out that Al-Dour plant will cover the whole Bahrain.