Gulf countries should invest heavily in researching alternative energy technologies to replace oil in the next 30 years, said a prominent Indian Member of Parliament.
Dr Arun Shourie told Emirates Today that GCC countries should consider partnering with Indian scientists to spearhead development into renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as oil supplies begin to dwindle.
"I feel that the Middle East must prepare for a time in 30 years from now when there is much less oil in the region," said the journalist-turnedpolitician, who once headed India's privatisation ministry and authored 21 books.
"The current revenues should be used to fund pioneering research into alternative energies such as solar, tidal and wind power.
"If the GCC countries, with their enormous resources, were to partner with Indian scientists you can imagine the great potential for patents and contributions to the environment. It is wonderful what they have done here with the desalination of seawater, but why not do it with solar energy or wind?
"Such collaborations should be thought about - why leave it only to Germany to develop wind power? Why leave it to China alone to set up large factories to manufacture solar panels?" Shourie's words echo the sentiments of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who recently said Dubai may use wind and solar power to help meet future energy demand.
Sheikh Mohammad told Pipeline magazine solar technologies are the best renewable option going forward, and the potential for wind power is also being studied.
Abu Dhabi is building a $380m (Dh1.36bn) solar energy plant to supply 100 megawatts of power.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Middle East Asia Forum in Dubai yesterday, Shourie said India must improve the quality of its manufactured products in order to compete and increase exports to the UAE and the wider region.
"It is clear that the consumer here in the Gulf does not mind how much he has to pay; he wants the best product. So this means countries like India have to produce that product - something that can outdo America or Europe in quality and design," he said.
By Anthony Richardson
© Emirates Today 2007
