/11^th December 2016, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/, The MENA region is blessed with all the natural resources necessary for a vibrant renewable energy sector: Lots of sunshine, strong winds and, in a few places, powerful rivers. According to World Bank estimates, the region receives between 22 percent and 26 percent of all solar energy striking the earth. This translates to a potential for solar energy per square kilometre per year equivalent to the energy generated from 1 to 2 million barrels of oil. MENA’s solar potential is considered to be exponentially higher than that of all other renewable resources combined and is even thought to be enough to meet the current global demand for electricity.

/20^th September 2016, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM, IRENA, EY/, The renewable energy market in the MENA region is expanding rapidly, with many countries announcing projects and setting policies to promote renewable energy development and a number of initiatives undertaken to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy. According to the IFC, nearly $3 billion were invested in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2012, 40 % higher than in 2011 and roughly twice the amount invested in 2010. Growing recognition of these benefits is evident in the increasing amount of investment in renewable energy. It was estimated 10 that investment needs in the Mediterranean partner countries (MPC) would reach between EUR 7 and 21 billion 18 by 2020.