Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad: KACST starts initiative to tap solar energy 3 Riyadh

Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad said solar power could be a valuable
resource and an addition to the energy portfolio of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
where most of the more than 40 gigawatts of electricity that is consumed per
year is generated by fossil fuels.


"Moreover, the Kingdom’s population growth at a rate of about three percent -
triple the world average - is also a challenge to deal with when it comes to
questions of energy," he added.


Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad pointed out that a desalination plant with a
production capacity of 300,000 cubic meters would be built within three years
from the date of completion of the first phase.


"This phase is experimental in nature, while the third phase will involve all
agencies and a large quantity of funds in order to set up a number of
solar-powered desalination plants after the second phase," he said.


--SPA

11:59 LOCAL TIME 08:59 GMT NNNN