The status of renewable energy in the GCC countries

The projects made in the GCC countries allow researchers and investors to size the cost of kWh from thermal, PV and wind energy more precisely. For example, it was found that the cost of kWh from large grid connected solar thermal plant (20 MW) - with cost of USD 72.5 million and energy - is US ¢ 12/kWh (assuming a life time of 40 years and a discount rate of 4%) while, the cost issue of kWh from PV Electricity (in the GCC countries) is ranging from US ¢ 27 (for ground mount) to US ¢ 35 (for roof mount) as it was deduced from two actually installed project PV in UAE - a GCC country member. Meanwhile, the cost of 1 kWh from wind electricity in the GCC countries may be from US ¢10 (large turbine ≈2 MW at 80 m height with good wind speed) to US ¢ 15 (for large turbine ≈2 MW at 80 m height with modest wind speed) while the cost of kWh from grid connected Wind farm plant (20 MW) - with a cost of USD 38.6 million and energy - is US ¢ 6.7/kWh to US ¢ 8.8/kWh, depending on the location of wind farm. This makes it very challengeable for investor, government (Feed-in-Tariff) and citizens because each citizen in GCC countries pays only (US cent 1 for each kWh, for consumption less than 3000 kWh, or even nothing for citizens-like in Qatar).