Al-Kuwari: Change needed in global energy infrastructure

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari said issues such as climate change, atmospheric and other forms of pollution and energy insecurity could be addressed effectively only if major changes were made in the global energy infrastructure. Al-Kuwari made the statement while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Qatar Alternative Energy Investors Summit yesterday. He also highlighted that the country’s water and electricity markets were open to private investors and Qatar would also welcome investments from alternative energy investors in the coming years. Elaborating on the large technical potential of sustainable energy in Qatar, the official identified solar energy from photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, concentrating solar high-temperature heat and solar thermal low-temperature heat as various renewable sources. According to al-Kuwari, Kahramaa’s goal is to make alternative energy competitive and profitable for investors; hence, it is interested in the deployment of renewable energy, energy-efficient and low-pollution technologies. “Kahramaa will also invest in manufacturing businesses that generate inputs for these sectors,” he said. While demonstrating Kahramaa’s keenness to strengthen partnerships and collaboration with other stakeholders (both inside and outside Qatar), the president said the corporation already has MoUs with institutions such as Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Solar Technologies and Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute. It is also working on a host of issues with its partners on issues related to renewable sources, grid connections, renewable energy, concentrating solar power and reverse osmosis. There is also an MoU with Spanish utilities major Iberdrola to further co-operation in exchanging experience and carrying out pilot projects in smart grid applications. Al-Kuwari reminded that Kahramaa has started its first renewable energy production project with a capacity to generate 200MW within eight years. “Technologies adopted for renewable energy are essential contributors to the energy supply portfolio as they contribute to world energy security, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and provide opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gases,” he said. “For most of the world, the future looks increasingly like it will be built from a mix of energy efficiency, renewable sources, electrification of transport and lower carbon fuels like natural gas.” Al-Kuwari said the alternative energy industry required effective, market-based solutions to address climate change and ecosystem degradation in order to create new business opportunities for capital investment and industry growth. The Kahramaa president stressed his corporation’s co-operation with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee to support the development of Green Qatar 2022, which he said was in line with the goals and objectives of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.