Sunday, September 30, 2018

That Didn't Last Long -- Solar Energy Project In Saudi Arabia Comes To Screeching Halt -- WSJ -- September 30, 2018

Midnight at the oasis, send your camel to bed ...

Meet Me At The Oasis, Maria Muldaur





See this post. Updates at that post:
March 28, 2018: ready to roll. Will start with $5 billion this year; initial $1 bill from Saudi/SoftBank Vision Fund.

February 19, 2018: solar will not be enough. The $7-billion solar project will be eclipsed by an $80-billion nuclear energy project. 

30-second elevator speech: instead of $109 billion, Saudi Arabia will now build a solar energy project costing upwards of $7 billion; paid for by the developer.

Renewable implications for the rest of the world? None. Saudi and solar energy is a one-off; possibly the only country where solar energy might make sense. But if truth be told nuclear energy would be a better bet.
It is now being reported that Saudi Arabia has scrapped SoftBank's $200 billion solar energy plan. Wow! Link here.
Saudi Arabia has put on hold a $200 billion plan with SoftBank Group Corp. to build the world’s biggest solar-power-generation project, Saudi government officials said, in a complication for another eye-catching transformation project in the kingdom.
The stalled project marks a setback for a partnership between Saudi Arabia and SoftBank that has pursued ambitious ideas. Together, they have created a $100 billion fund for technology company investments that has resulted in a rush of new money flooding into startups.
The project would have turned the world’s most important oil producer into a giant in solar power, ultimately generating about 200 gigawatts of energy—more than three times what the country needs every day.
***************************************
Former Olympians, Future Olympian

Our oldest granddaughter, today, attended a one-day training camp with three former water polo Olympian swimmers. 


Is it just me, or does it appear you have to be really attractive to be an Olympic champion?

2 comments:

  1. I'd be inclined to put money on your granddaughter! She is a real beauty. Attractiveness is always a plus, but I'm thinking your granddaughter's talents may well be a winning proposition.... Maybe we could pool our modest resources; buy, say, a modest 10% interest in her future earnings and retire wealthy to Willison, ND???? Of course, we'd have to abandon TX, OR, AZ and other zip codes... Water polo people just boggle my mind; I can't tread water for more than 10 minutes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind comments. And they train with 10-pound belts around their waists. Pretty remarkable.

      Delete