Representatives from the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE), the government body directing alternative energy development, have announced the country’s ambitious long-term goals for solar power. The oil-rich kingdom aims to have installed 41GW of concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar PV projects by 2032, 25GW and 16GW respectively.

Plans to construct geothermal, biomass, wind and nuclear plants were also announced on at the Saudi Solar Energy Forum in Riyadh on May 8, 2012. The proposed framework would cost tens of billions of dollars and see Saudi Arabia producing almost 25% of its electricity from solar power installations. Solar PV projects will supply the country’s daytime electricity demand, while high-capacity CSP plants will provide the majority of solar power, while including thermal storage facilities.

If the plans come to fruition, Saudi Arabia will become one of the world’s largest solar power producers. The plans are currently under assessment from the KA-CARE board, though approval is expected to be granted for the scheme in the coming weeks.

via Saudi Arabia targets 41GW of solar installations by 2032 | PV-Tech.