Strategic considerations for deployment of solar photovoltaics in the Middle East and North Africa

The strategic rationale for adoption of solar energy, particularly solar photovoltaics (PV), in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is considered here through analysis of a recent report produced by the Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA), an industry association based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Electricity supply and demand modeling shows that solar PV is commercially viable in many MENA countries due to rapidly falling costs of solar PV, excellent fit of solar resource availability to regional electricity demand patterns, and rising regional gas prices. Opportunities and challenges to regional solar PV deployment, including electricity exports, electricity subsidies, development of domestic unconventional gas, and demand side energy management are considered with regard to potential impact on the strategic role that solar PV will play in shaping the MENA energy landscape.

► Middle East and North Africa (MENA) electricity demand is growing rapidly.
► Solar photovoltaics (PV) is now economically viable for meeting MENA electricity demand.
► Near-term MENA solar PV deployment will be driven by country-specific contexts.
► MENA solar PV deployment in the long run will be driven by evolving strategic assessments.