QatarEnergy has unveiled plans for a new solar mega project that will more than double the country’s solar energy output. The project will increase Qatar’s PV solar capacity to around 4 GW by constructing one of the world’s largest solar plants in Dukhan, with a capacity of 2 GW.
Furthermore, this new facility will join QatarEnergy’s existing solar portfolio, which includes the Al-Kharsaah plant, inaugurated in 2022 with an 800 MW capacity, and two additional projects in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities, set to produce 875 MW by year-end.
In August 2022, QatarEnergy gave a $630.33 million contract to South Korean engineering and construction firm Samsung C&T to build its industrial cities solar power project (IC Solar). The agreement is for the construction of two solar PV plants with an 875 MW total capacity for clean power generation.
QatarEnergy is a state-owned company responsible for all oil and gas activities in Qatar. The company is involved in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil, natural gas, and gas liquids. Additionally, QatarEnergy markets refined products, synthetic fuels, petrochemicals, fuel additives, fertilisers, liquefied natural gas, steel, and aluminium.
REGlobal’s Views: Qatar is heavily dependent on oil and gas for meeting its energy requirements. In order to diversify its energy mix, it is now planning to produce large amounts of renewable energy. Further, it has plans to reduce 25 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Thus, the country is expected to witness many such large solar power projects in the future.
