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Qatar to tap solar energy for 20pc of needs

Doha, September 10, 2013

Qatar plans to generate 20 percent of its energy from renewables over the next decade with the first phase of a 200MW solar project to be tendered in the first quarter of 2014, said the organisers of an upcoming solar power summit in Doha.

More than 200 government officials, key decision makers and invited international experts will gather at Solar Qatar Summit 2013 scheduled for November 18 and 19.

The event will take place under the patronage of Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, president of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) which has been charged with the task of delivering the 200MW solar energy plant project by 2020.

Saleh Hamad Al-Marri, head of Renewable Energy Technologies Section at Kahramaa will be giving a detailed update on the strategy and technology requirements for upcoming solar projects in an exclusive presentation at the Solar Qatar Summit.

Qatar’s Minister of Industry and Energy, Dr Mohammed bin Saleh al Sada stated earlier this year that the initial phase of the 200MW solar programme would see pilot plants generating 5MW-10MW, with a 2012 estimated cost of $30 million. Qatar also announced at last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference COP18 that it would seek tenders for a 1,800MW solar energy plant in 2014.

Experts from world leading solar technology developers DuPont, BASF and NEOCIT will also be giving presentations at the summit and showcasing solutions aimed at helping Qatar achieve its renewable energy goals.

With financial resources at its disposal and one of the world’s highest irradiation rates the targets are not unobtainable, although current technology challenges involving high temperatures and dust are restricting progress. A number of international companies are now getting involved in research and development projects to address the issues.

Work is currently underway on the construction of Kahramaa’s Awareness Park which will demonstrate the processes of electricity generation and water desalination as well as serving as an education center for children.

Qatar, which has promised a carbon-neutral Fifa World Cup in 2022, is racing to develop efficient solar-powered cooling technology for stadiums and pioneering research in solar desalination, manufacturing and supplying polysilicon solar solutions and constructing energy-efficient ‘passive houses’.

As many as 2,072 photovoltaic panels and 37 inverters are currently being installed on the Msheireb Downtown Doha buildings which claim to be the world’s first sustainable regeneration in a downtown area of a major city.

Consisting of more than 20 sessions including presentations, case-studies and panel discussions from major industry organisations will communicate best practice strategies and opportunities for key stakeholders. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Qatar | Doha | Solar Energy | Summit | Kahramaa |

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