As much oil as Saudi Arabia has, it has even more solar energy available to it. This is something the Saudis have understood for at least the past 20 years as they’ve devoted resources to solar research. Now, partnered with a Japanese oil company, Showa Shell, Saudi ARAMCO is working to introduce facilities to provide 1-2 megawatts of power to Saudi villages too remote to economically tie into the Saudi power grid.

This Reuters piece, run in Asharq Alawsat, unfortunately does not provide any information about the cost of the project or the individual facilities. That information would be useful to know as it would help us see whether this sort and scale of project is economic, or is just a solution that can be provided by money, no matter the efficiency.

Showa Shell, Saudi Aramco Plan Solar Power Project

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese oil refiner Showa Shell Sekiyu KK said on Wednesday it will start a solar power project in Saudi Arabia with Saudi Aramco to build small-scale facilities to supply electricity to local communities.

Showa Shell, Japan’s fifth-biggest oil company, is ramping up investment in solar cells as it tries to become a major player in the alternative energy.

It hopes to generate new revenue streams besides gasoline and other oil products that are subject to market volatility.

Showa Shell said it and state oil company Saudi Aramco will build a pilot plant next year to conduct studies on the project, in which it plans to build facilities with generating capacity of 1-2 megawatts in Saudi Arabia serving communities without access to power grids.
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