Qatar’s strategy to position renewable energy as core pillar in national energy mix

The commencement of operations at Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar power plants constitutes an important step towards achieving the fourth pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which is managing the environment in a manner that balances economic and social development and environmental protection.

On April 28, His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar PV power plants with a combined capacity of 875 megawatts (MW), which will more than double Qatar’s solar energy production to 1,675MW of renewable energy. One of the goals of QatarEnergy’s Sustainability Strategy is to generate more than 4,000 megawatts of renewable energy in the country by 2030.

The construction of solar power plants is one of Qatar’s most important initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, develop sustainability projects, and diversify electricity generation sources.

According to HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s existing three solar plants are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.7mn tonnes annually.

QatarEnergy is also making strides in developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions through carbon capture and storage technologies, with a target of capturing more than 11mn tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2035.

The two solar plants at Ras Laffan and Mesaieed along with the Al-Kharsaah facility, will play a significant role in meeting the country’s electricity demand, contributing about 15% of the total peak electricity demand.

“This percentage will rise to 30%, God willing, with the operation of the world-scale 2,000 Megawatt Dukhan solar power plant by 2029,” al-Kaabi noted.

The minister said that Qatar’s world-scale 2,000-megawatt Dukhan solar power plant will become operational by 2029.

Speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate the the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar PV power plants, al-Kaabi said 30% of Qatar’s total peak electricity demand will be met by the country’s four solar plants including Dukhan by 2029.

In September last year, QatarEnergy announced that it will build a new solar power mega project at Dukhan, which will more than double the country’s solar energy production, significantly contributing to lower carbon emissions in the framework of a realistic energy transition.

The new project will boost Qatar’s PV solar power production capacity to about 4,000 megawatts by building one of the world’s largest solar power plants in the Dukhan area, with a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts.

The new solar project will be added to QatarEnergy’s solar power portfolio, which includes the existing Al-Kharsaah solar power plant, which was inaugurated in 2022 with a capacity of 800 megawatts of electricity, and to two solar power projects that QatarEnergy built in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities with a total production capacity of 875 megawatts, and which were formally inaugurated by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on April 28.

With the addition of the new Dukhan Solar Power Plant, QatarEnergy’s portfolio of solar power projects in Qatar will reach a capacity of about 4,000 megawatts by 2030. This represents approximately 30% of Qatar’s total electrical power production capacity. The country’s strategy lays strong emphasis on positioning renewable energy as a core pillar in its national energy mix, showcasing economic diversification and commitment to achieving environmental sustainability in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. This milestone is central to Qatar’s renewable energy strategy and QatarEnergy’s sustainability strategy, both aiming to increase contribution of renewable energy sources to national energy mix, with solar energy being the most viable option given the country’s climatic conditions.

Alongside this, Qatar is enhancing infrastructure to integrate renewable energy into the national grid, offering financial and legislative incentives to attract local and foreign investments.

Qatar is also supporting research and development in energy storage technologies and solar panel efficiency, forging partnerships with academic institutions and global research centres, while promoting community awareness programmes and strengthening national capacity in renewable energy operations, maintenance, and project management.