Domestically, Qatar aims to increase the share of renewables in electricity consumption to 20% from 2024, while developing new public transport systems, including electric taxi and bus projects. by compressed natural gas (CNG).
Session 2: Advantages and challenges
Solar power is Qatar’s strength
Huge solar power potential
Qatar and the GCC countries have the highest potential for harnessing solar energy, based on the annual amount of sunshine (including hours of sunshine and solar intensity). Not to mention, July, August and September every year is the time when the whole region has the highest amount of electricity consumption, due to the very high demand for air conditioning and also a strong solar irradiation time most of the year.
Therefore, the development of solar power technology is the most promising energy sector for Qatar. In early 2020, Qatar announced it would build a solar power plant with a peak capacity of 800 MW at Al Kharsaah, comprising 2 million two-sided photovoltaic modules (Bifacial technology) combined with tracking equipment. width over 1,000 hectares. Al-Kharsaah solar power plant will be built on 10km2 near the capital Doha, expected to be completed in 2022.
The Al-Kharsaah Solar Power Plant will reach maximum capacity when solar radiation peaks at noon – the time when the demand for electricity is highest during the day. With a two-sided photovoltaic module system incorporating a monitoring device to align the angle of sunlight absorption, the correlation between solar power production and electricity demand will be strengthened.
Total Energy (France) and Marubeni Trade and Investment (Japan) will sponsor the Al-Kharsaah Solar Power Plant Project, with a total investment of about 500 million USD (ie 0, USD 6 / Wp for Bifacial technology with tracker). This figure shows that the solar energy sector is on a constant and relentless trend of cost reduction. With the use of monitoring devices with a two-sided module, the load factor of a solar power plant can exceed 30% – an exceptionally high level in the solar sector, due to the home load factor. Average solar power in the world is only about 20%.
Fresh water is Qatar’s big problem in climate change
Electricity and water – Two main concerns
Solar PV can play a central role in meeting the growing demand for electricity and water in Qatar, as the two sectors are interrelated (large gas thermal power plants can produce water from desalination). However, the demand for water and electricity in summer is very high: Electricity peaks reach about 8 GW, double the capacity in winter; while the water demand is about 20% higher.
It should be noted, in recent years, electricity demand in Qatar has grown three times faster than the world average due to the country’s strong economic growth and infrastructure projects. giant. The high level of electricity consumption is also due to the government price subsidy that makes electricity prices almost “free” in Qatar, suitable for all purposes.
The demand for fresh water in Qatar is growing at a rate of 12% per year, mainly due to industrial development, population growth as well as increased irrigation in the agricultural sector and anti-desertification. Since then, the desalination process has been significantly accelerated, contributing to increased power consumption.
Qatar in the Global Energy Transition Race (Next and Out)
Increase the share of renewable energy
Qatar is implementing a series of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assert its position as a leader in the development of new technologies.
Domestically, Qatar aims to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption to 20% from 2024. At the same time, the transformation of energy in Qatar is also the realization of the development of public transport systems. new projects, including electric taxis and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
Qatar has established official bodies to deal with climate change (for example the National Committee on Climate Change – the national body responsible for climate policy formulation). Moreover, Qatar has participated in the GHG reduction program of the World Bank (WB) and the Global Association for Reducing Gas Emissions (GGFR). More specifically, Qatar Petroleum National Petroleum Company sets a “zero gas emission” goal by 2030. This goal will help develop new insights for other gas producing regions. Qatar Petroleum is promoting carbon capture and storage projects as it sees customers increasingly opting for low-carbon resources.
Qatar will need to make efforts to invest in low-carbon energy technology, by developing goals for energy efficiency and carbon concentration. Thereby, the challenge of Qatar is the reconciliation of new goals in the fight against climate change with the development of the domestic energy sector, along with new and “cleaner” sectors.
In recent years, electricity demand in Qatar has grown three times faster than the world average due to the country’s strong economic growth and huge infrastructure projects. The high electricity consumption is also due to the government price subsidy that makes electricity prices almost “free” in Qatar.
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