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Qatar
BIG ENERGY SHINES A LIGHT ON SOLAR The use of solar energy for heating and for generating electricity is not new. With efforts to find clean, renewable energy sources, solar power is starting to make sense to even hydrocarbon-rich Qatar By Rabin Gupta and Shereen D’Souza, Doha
Saleh Hamad Al-Marri, head of the renewable energies technologies section, conservation and energy efficiency department, at Kahramaa
With ample hydrocarbon resources in the form of crude oil and natural gas, one would think that Qatar is the last country in the world that would need to look for alternative sources of energy. However, with another resource in ample supply – sunlight – Qatar is looking to the future and the environment as it bids to harness solar energy to generate electricity. Saleh Hamad Al-Marri, head of the renewable energies technologies section, conservation and energy efficiency department, at Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), says, “Currently, for energy, we are using LNG. We are also using solar power. Electricity is being produced through the thermal process, which uses LNG for which we are paying local prices, which differ from global prices. Any 1 kilowatt (kW) from solar energy will result in saving natural gas which can be sold outside Qatar with a price increase of USD 5 to USD 8.” In short, use of solar power in this instance would leave more gas for the country to export at a hefty profit and adding to the country’s already bulging coffers.
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bq | ENERGY l SOLAR POWER
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is totally different. But we customise the system to minimise costs so that it can be workable in Qatar.” He, at least for the time being, does not foresee a Qatar whose total power demand would be met by solar energy as fossil fuels would dominate the arena. However, Kahramaa hopes that solar energy would account for 2 percent of the country’s power demand. “That is 200 MW. As per the forecast, we will have 10 gigawatts (GW) or 10,000 MW of demand. We still have six to seven years to achieve that,” he says. In a world of increasing ecological aware-
The consultancy contract for the Duhail solar power project is expected to be awarded by the end of 2013 and will go to tender by the first quarter of 2014
Al-Marri is optimistic about the future of solar energy, no doubt because of the dollops of sunlight the country is blessed with almost throughout the year. He says, “You cannot compare solar energy to thermal. You cannot convert apple to apple, so we think the other way around. We think of saving this gas instead of burning it as a fuel for thermal process.” Kahramaa believes there is a need to enter the solar energy market in a big way. “This market and industry are promising. We believe we will see really dramatic changes in the next few years. This is one of the plans of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and we are also improving the environment this way,” he adds. Yet another benefit, Al-Marri says, is only existing resources are being utilised. They are not using any new land. At their upcoming Duhail project, they can use 100,000 sq. metres, which cannot be used for other purposes. “We can use this to produce 5.6 megawatts (MW), at times of excess demand, so there would be no need to build any new power plants for demand side management.” The consultancy contract for the Duhail solar power project is expected to be awarded by the end of 2013 and will go to tender by the first quarter of 2014, Al-Marri says.
The official points out that solar power plants would come in handy during times of emergency, say, if there was a total breakdown of the electricity network. “If there is any emergency situation in the country and power supply is interrupted, we can use this source of power to operate the pumping stations and distribute water to the whole country.” Al-Marri adds that in such situations, water tankers would be of no help. “No matter how many tankers you have, you cannot cover the whole country,” he argues.
Complementary energy source Qatar would continue to be dependent on fossil fuels for power generation over the years, in fact, for quite some time to come according to Al-Marri. “We expect that for the next 90 to 100 years we will still be dependent on fossil fuels. There is no question about it. But we can use solar or urban energy as a complementary source of energy to minimise costs and the harmful effects on the environment.” Clearly the aim is to use solar energy as a complement, not as a substitute to fuel energy. “Solar energy is not too competitive unless you customise it to your situation. We are different compared to other markets since they use taxpayer money and we do not. The market structure in the Middle East
ness, Al-Marri feels that the Qatari people would gladly take solar power on board. “I think people here are well educated. And, they do not have any reason to not accept it, because it will not affect them directly. I think people will be happy to have it, for example, people with farms. They can use solar energy and not have to depend on diesel generators. This would make them independent.” Kahramaa also has plans to utilise solar power for domestic use. “This is currently under study and there are some regulations for it but yes, we do have plans for this,” says the official.
Qatar power situation Qatar is in a power surplus situation and not suffering a shortage as many believe. Stressing on the surplus aspect, Al-Marri says Qatar has exported power to countries like Kuwait, a few times during peak periods. The country has also exported electricity to Bahrain. Qatar has a power surplus until 2017. The new power projects will be set up in the south of Doha and in the Qatar Economic Zone or Free Zone according to Al-Marri. While Al-Marri declines to disclose the amount of power exported to other GCC states, citing reasons of confidentiality, he says Qatar produces around 2,700 MW and uses only 1,000 MW. “Either way, we make sure that Qatar has full capacity,” he states. On all the talk about Qatar facing a power shortage, He reiterates again that all the talk about Qatar facing power shortages is not true. “Sometimes it happens that contractors are doing some work and hit the wrong cables. That is not a shortage,” he smiles. www.bqdoha.com
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Qatar Power tariffs Expatriates, Western in particular, are amazed at how low their utility bills are in the country. “We cannot compare our population to Europe and hence we cannot compare output. The nature of Qatar is totally different. All branches of energy and water here are subsidised. This was the outcome of a political decision taken a long time ago. They were committed to making a welfare society available to residents of Qatar. Even non-Qataris here pay barely anything for electricity and water. We charge one-tenth of what the rest of the world is charging. Other countries charge
We (Qatar) charge onetenth of what the rest of the world is charging; other countries charge 20 cents for a single kW while we charge hardly 2 cents 20 cents for a single kW while we charge hardly 2 cents.” Al-Marri adds that the main source of Qatar’s water supply – desalination – is prohibitively expensive yet water has to be subsidised. “One barrel of water is more expensive than one barrel of crude oil,” he remarks. With Qatar being in the happy situation of being a power surplus country, Kahramaa is keen the status quo is retained. The use of solar power, officials feel, would only boost the country’s power reserves while at the same time saving the environment and allowing natural gas, which would be used for power plants, to be exported, earning the country increased revenues. “The biggest challenge was to convince the decision makers to invest into this. But thankfully, we are past it now. It was hard to convince them as they do not want presentations, they want numbers. And, that is what we gave them. You cannot attract them with a 15-minute presentation, but you can attract them with giving numbers upfront,” he confides. That done, Qatar can now look forward to a new source of power supply, all generated by the ample sunlight in the country.
District Cooling seems to be the way forward with energy-efficient and environment-friendly cooling solutions With the Middle Eastern temperatures soaring over 50 degrees, this region could possibly be the largest proponent of cooling. Keeping up with a seeming trend towards eco-friendly technologies in the region, district cooling has become the order of the day, more so with the global ‘Go Green’ movement. The rapid advancement towards the application of energy, cost and environment efficient solutions have made way for better alternatives, especially for planned and newly established mixed-use developments. A QPM report predicts that power requirements in Qatar will rise to 10GW and water demand will touch 2.1 million m3/ day by 2020. To power such units (air-conditioners for instance), energy requirements are high, and constantly rising. As the demand for district cooling services continues to escalate, the region also witnesses an increase in cooling energy produced.
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bq | ENERGY l DISTRICT COOLING
District cooling is a centralised system that entails the production and circulation of chilled water to the air-conditioning system of user buildings for cooling purpose – via an underground chilled water pipe network. Owing to this ‘centralised’ characteristic, powering a district cooling plant facilitates higher energy conservation as compared to a set of individual air conditioners in a community, running at the same time. Additionally, due to its lesser consumption of electricity, the effects of greenhouse gases and contaminants to the environment are also reduced. “For a new development, a properly designed and operated, district cooling system cost-effectively will deliver a variety of benefits to customers, including superior comfort, convenience, flexibility and reliability. This will likewise provide a sustainable solution to the community through its fundamental cost advantages, including load diversity, optimized operations, advanced technologies, better staff economies and environment-friendly feature by reducing CO2 emissions,” says George Kenich - head of infrastructure & MEP - CEng, LEED AP, PQP, MIEE - Aldar Properties, UAE.
District cooling in Qatar District Cooling in Qatar has reached a penetration rate of over 10% of the total air conditioning market and is witnessing a constant upsurge. With Qatar’s current ranking (number two), after Dubai, it is ahead of other GCC countries with a 5% average penetration rate. New and large developments in Qatar that have used district cooling include West Bay, The Pearl, Msheireb, Barwa Business Boulevard and Village, the new Internal Security Forces camp, Education City, Lusail, among others. Qatar Cool’s Integrated District Cooling Plant at The Pearl-Qatar was inaugurated in November 2010 with a capacity of 130,000 tons of refrigeration, which made it the main eco-friendly technology on the island and the largest district cooling plant in the world.
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major organizations and service providers in Qatar. The mission of this department is to develop the district cooling services in accordance with the frame work of the National Development Strategy of the State of Qatar by enforcing the use of the best technology that helps in the optimum use of electricity and water resources in district cooling.
Green 2022
Qatar Cool’s Integrated District Cooling Plant at The Pearl-Qatar was inaugurated in November 2010 with a capacity of 130,000 tons of refrigeration, which made it the main eco-friendly technology on the island and the largest district cooling plant in the world A study conducted by Qatar Cool showed the produced cooling capacity by IDCP over the past three years saving a tremendous amount of CO2 emission, in comparison with traditional cooling systems. Most Middle Eastern governments are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. With a sizeable chunk of countries in the region having extremely high GHG emissions per capita, this issue has become relatively important for governmental policies and the District Cooling Service department of Kahramaa is facilitating a specific decision-making process along with other departments and
As preparations for the run up to 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar move full steam ahead, the evident construction boom and new developments in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 provide opportunities for further implementation of district cooling systems. With an aim to ensure that the buildings and utilities to be used during the World Cup are environmentally friendly, the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) had created a group to work on guaranteeing that existing and planned hotels meet green standards, including reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing waste recycling. “As air conditioning accounts for significant energy consumption in Qatar and the Gulf, cleaner technologies like district cooling are crucial for reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability. QGBC is looking forward to exchanging knowledge with other experts about the incredible potential of district cooling,” says Eng. Meshal Al-Shamari, director of QGBC.
The 5th Annual Middle East District Cooling Summit, organized by Fleming Gulf, will take place 26 to 28 November, 2013 and includes a two day conference and an intensive workshop programme. The three day exhibition will feature the latest technology offerings in the market from some of the world’s leading providers of products and services in the district cooling sector. George Berbari, CEO DC Pro Engineering and the summit chairman says: “This 5th District Cooling Summit will be more important as the district cooling industry is gaining more ground and is set to play a more important role in all future developments including the Metro, the World Cup, Lusail, Msheireb Downtown, Internal security forces new camp and many other exciting new developments in Qatar. I have a dream of marking Dr. King’s 50th anniversary speech with the penetration rate reaching 50%. Also, I would like to see tri-generation integrated with renewables such as PV and deep geothermal pulling off to lead the sustainability movement through a wellplanned and well-coordinated path.”
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