The plane flies over the vast desert of Dubai, which has acquired a new landscape, as the yellow sand dunes are now covered with silver reflector mirrors over an expanse of tens of kilometers. The giant mirrors follow the sun's path to catch its rays and concentrate them onto pipes, containing highly conductive synthetic oils, that turn water to vapor, which will in turn activate turbines to generate electricity.

At the other end of the desert, on the shores of the Gulf, salt water is hauled from the sea and the electrical energy generated from the solar reflectors is used for electrolysis which breaks the water down into hydrogen and oxygen, thus releasing the world's cleanest energy carrier, hydrogen. Huge tankers then transport the hydrogen from the production sites in the Gulf, and cables cut through deserts and oceans to transmit clean electricity, produced by the Arabian Desert's sun, to the cities of Europe.

A scene such as the one described above would have been considered science fiction a few years ago, but today it is closer to reality than ever before. It might not be long before Dubai, this highly innovative emirate, decides to foster the first significant project in the region for producing hydrogen as a transmitter of alternative clean energy, using an environmentally friendly source of renewable energy which is the sun. Some might consider it odd that such a project be launched from Dubai, which lies amid the largest oil reserves in the world. However, it might be that Dubai views producing hydrogen from sea water, utilizing solar energy, as a smart diversification in the use of certain resources long abandoned, but nevertheless abundant in the region, namelythe sun, the sea and the desert.

The largest plant for electricity generated by steam produced from solar energy is in the Mojave Desert in California, where reflectors spread over an area of more than 2.3 million square meters. Germany's University of Munich is currently preparing a feasibility study to build a similar plant in Dubai, generating electricity which will then be used to produce hydrogen.

So what's stopping Arabs, rich and poor alike, from becoming exporters of solar energy available to all of them, rather than sticking to oil, which is restricted to a few countries? As huge investments are needed for technology and equipment to develop renewable sources of energy, countries with high income from oil look to be in a better position to reinvest oil revenues in solar and hydrogen production.

All Arab countries, from the Gulf to North Africa, lie within a region rich in sun all year round. The Middle East and North Africa occupy vast areas of the world, which are considered most suitable for producing energy from the sun. One hour's worth of sunshine, if it could be fully utilized, is equivalent to a whole year's consumption of energy worldwide.

Some might regard this inclination toward the utilization of solar energy as a threat to oil, but it is better considered as a way to diversify the economy. In any case, the future might prove that producing hydrogen from solar energy and sea water, both abundantly available in the Arabian Desert and its environs, might be more profitable than growing wheat in the sand dunes and depleting scarce ground water, a practice which became a fashion over the last 25 years.

It is not at all strange that Dubai should foster a project like this. Dubai was a pioneer in exchanging oil money into future investments in services and technology. It also was a step ahead of others in looking toward an economy beyond oil, by creating modern technology service centers, and attracting investors and tourists to this dynamic and upbeat desert emirate.

When Dubai launched its free zone, exhibition and conference centers, one of the most modern collection of hotels and resorts in the world, covered the desert with golf courses, and established its internet and media cities, many observers considered these to be risky ventures. Yet Dubai succeeded and exceeded all expectations. It was not satisfied with converting the desert into a trade center, but utilized the desert itself, by establishing a splendid resort on a barren piece of land, which is now a magnet for visitors from the world over who come to enjoy the desert's serenity.

This is Al-Maha Desert Resort, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, which promises its visitors a unique adventure in the silence and magic of the desert, instead of mundane trees, water and mountains. And it is always booked for months ahead.

This impressive success and futuristic vision made Dubai the best backdrop for launching the first ever fleet of cars operated by hydrogen combustion. It wasn't at all strange that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed, the crown prince of Dubai and the patron of its economic renaissance, should be the one to inaugurate this campaign, by displaying the BMW fleet of cars operated by hydrogen combustion in the legendary Burj Al-Arab hotel.I