GTM: Middle East and Africa set for 170% growth in solar demand

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Source: GTM Research.

The Middle East and Africa is set to enjoy a year-on-year PV demand increase of 170%, according to GTM Research.

In its latest regional breakout, deployment is expected to land at 3.6GW this year spiking to 20GW in 2020. Cumulatively the region will install 83.7GW in the period 2018-2023.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

According to the report’s author, Ben Attia, there are currently 12.3GW of utility-scale solar contracted or under construction and a further 21GW in the pre-contract phase.

Major utility-scale tender programmes in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE have boosted numbers and Attia expects Africa to contribute more than 6.4GW from 2020 onwards. Saudi and the UAE are expected to account for half of all the additional solar capacity installed out to 2023.

GTM Research expects the global solar market to decline to 85.2GW in 2018, driven by China’s decision to cap its two largest markets, utility-scale and Distributed Generation (DG) at the end of May.

Read Next

September 4, 2026
PV deployment in Africa is booming, but not showing up in official statistics, new analysis by Ember and African Tech Futures Lab reveals
Premium
September 3, 2026
PV Tech Premium speaks to IEEFA's Jonathan Bruegel about how renewable PPAs have become a key part of European energy resilience.
September 3, 2026
The UAE has raised its renewable and nuclear energy target to account for 35% of its energy mix by 2030-31, according to state-run media.
September 2, 2026
Europe’s PV fleet has removed the need for over €30 billion (US$34.74 billion) in gas imports since the start of the Iran conflict.
Premium
August 21, 2026
PV Tech Premium speaks with United Solar about the challenges of building polysilicon capacity outside of China and catering to the US and Indian markets.
August 14, 2026
Mainstream Renewable Power’s 50MW C&I Ilikwa PV Facility in South Africa’s Free State province has reached commercial operation.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK