Feb 15 2010
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embarked on a program to introduce solar energy into the country with the construction of its first water desalination plant that is powered by solar power. In the three-part solar program, the construction of the solar desalination plant is the first part. The goal of the program, which was launched by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), is to create stable power and water supplies in the kingdom by constructing solar-powered water desalination facilities.
Water desalination plants play a significant role to provide clean drinking water for populations throughout the world. About 18% of the desalinated water in world is produced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By adopting solar technology in the water desalination plants, Saudi Arabia can cut down the operational costs thus reducing costs for the end-user.
KACST Vice President for Research Institutes, Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad, said the kingdom has introduced the solar energy program that aims to reduce the production cost of desalinated water as well as to generate power in the country;
Endowed with sunshine throughout the year, Saudi Arabia is one of the best locations to harness solar power. In the kingdom, for an average of 12 hours/day, the country receives 7,000 watts of energy/square meter from the sun. IBM and KACST are looking at the best possible way to harness the solar energy and implement this advanced technology through their research center.
Source: http://www.saudiembassy.net