Does Anyone Really Think Solar Has A Significant Energy Role To Play In The Future? The Saudi Perspective -- August 17, 2016

Some time ago, Saudi canceled a $109 billion solar energy project -- to be more precise, delayed the project for eight years.

This next story tells me all I need to know about the future of solar energy.

Russian Press TV is reporting:

Saudi Arabia says it will construct the reactors over the next 20 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, with the first reactor expected to come online in 2022.

Russia says it is interested in Saudi plans to build 16 nuclear reactors as part of the kingdom’s purported aspirations to develop civilian nuclear technologies.

"We support the Saudi Arabian initiative aimed at the use of the civilian nuclear power sector,” Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with the leading pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Monday.

“The ambitions of the Saudi government speak for themselves: The kingdom plans to build 16 nuclear reactors in 25 years. They will produce 20 percent of required electric power," Novak said.

Novak said Saudi Arabia has no nuclear power infrastructure that makes the project challenging, adding Russia “has rich experience in developing such a base.”

Russia helped Iran bring the first nuclear power plant in the Persian Gulf online in 2011. The two countries plan to build two more nuclear reactors in Bushehr as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in Iran.

Sixteen nuclear reactors:

• at a cost of $80 billion;
• will take 25 years to complete;
• first one to come on-line no soon than 2022; and,
• will only produce 20% of Saudi's total electricity demand.

Anyone truly think solar power can compete with nuclear energy? Solar can't match the scale and it is not available on demand.

Also, as a side note: Russia, China, Germany, and North Korea will compete to get the Saudi nuclear contracts. Obama will be out of office; Hillary won't pursue. She will help Iran counter.