QSTec, Philippines to enhance tie-up in solar power

Officials from Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) and the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DoE) have discussed ways to enhance collaboration ties in the fields of renewable energy.QSTec chairman and CEO Dr Khalid Klefeekh al-Hajri recently met with DoE secretary Alfonso G Cusi and other officials to discuss QSTec’s maturation in the energy industry and its integration across the solar value chain and the growing solar energy market in the Philippines, as well as possible collaboration opportunities. QSTec is Mena’s first fully-integrated solar company, as well as the largest polysilicon producer in the region with a manufacturing facility of 8,000 metric tonnes per annum in Qatar. The organisation is “strongly committed to collaborating with international partners in the interest of progressively harvesting solar energy, combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions”. QSTec sees far-reaching potential for collaborating with the Philippines in effectively meeting these common targets. Under the Philippines’ Renewable Energy Roadmap 2017-2040, the country aims to develop and install 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2040. Already, Philippines has prompted a number of new initiatives aimed at fast-tracking renewable energy growth and investment. “With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines holds enormous solar energy potential,” al-Hajri said. He added, “As a fully integrated solar company, there is tremendous opportunity for QSTec and its partners to work jointly with the Philippines in a wide range of solar industry development areas. “QSTec spans the entire solar value chain - from polysilicon to solar modules, right through to developing advanced manufacturing technologies for the solar and semi-conductor industries. As such, QSTec, coupled with the strength of its global network, is well-placed to assist in helping meet Philippines’ solar energy targets.”  Underscoring friendly Qatari-Filipino ties, al-Hajri explained that the existing strength in bilateral relations served as an important foundation with which to further expand business and economic bonds and develop strategic partnerships for solar industry growth. “His Excellency Mr Cusi has exerted great efforts to accelerate the growth of solar and renewable energy in the Philippines and we look forward to harnessing our respective resources and pooling together our collective brainpower to build new solar partnerships for growth,” al-Hajri said.