Potential and readiness analysis of renewable energy in the GCC states.

The paper aims at better understanding of the opportunities and potentials of the deployment of clean energy in the region of highest fossil fuel reserves in the world, the gulf cooperation council (GCC) states, by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the seventh sustainable development goal (SDG7) in the GCC states context including a detailed description of its targets, indicators as well as interrelatedness with the other SDGs. In line with that, the paper evaluated the renewable energy potential in the GCC states, its readiness to deploy and the constrains still to overcome. Analysis showed that GCC region has got a high potential of solar and wind energy, and good readiness for its deployment. The potential of solar energy resources in GCC states varies between 5.1 to 5.9 kWh/m² year. The average wind speed in GCC countries is between 3.5 -6 m/s, with the highest average of 6 m/s in Qatar and lowest average of 3.5 in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]