Solar energy is set to become an important alternative power resource that will generate over five gigawatts of energy for Saudi Arabia by 2020.
Solar is part of the Kingdom's continuous efforts to target renewable energy in a USD100 billion spending drive aimed at meeting a predicted increase in electricity demand and reducing dependence on crude.
The country's demand for energy is expected to peak at 120 gigawatts by 2012, mainly due to an expanding and highly-diversified industry base, and a fast growing population, which is expected to double by 2032.
To help meet this demand, the Kingdom is now looking towards solar power and other non-hydrocarbon sources as strategic options to bolster energy generating capacity by 50 percent within the next ten years.
Reports also show that the demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing, with the demand in 2010 reaching 40 gigawatts and is expected to reach 120 gigawatts in 2032.
Regional oil producers need to create more electricity to sustain regional economic growth rate - averaging about 10 per cent per annum.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is currently spearheading solar initiatives, with the aim of opening the world's largest solar powered desalination plant by 2012 in the city of Al-Khafji.
When completed, the project will supply 30,000 cubic meters of clean water per day and will use newly developed membrane technology and ultra-high concentrator photo-voltaic technology.
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