The Shura Council yesterday reviewed Kahramaa’s plans for securing electricity and water supplies, expanding solar power and modernising subscriber services, as the corporation set out its roadmap towards the Qatar National Renewable Energy Strategy 2030.
The regular weekly session, held in Tamim bin Hamad Hall and chaired by HE the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem, was attended by Kahramaa president Engineer Abdulla bin Ali al-Theyab and a number of the corporation’s specialists, who briefed members on the electricity and water sectors, supply security, network efficiency, consumption rationalisation, digital transformation and subscriber services. Secretary-General HE
Nayef bin Mohammed al-Mahmoud read out the agenda, and the council approved the minutes of its previous session.
Al-Ghanem lauded the attention the state accords, under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to developing electricity and water infrastructure and entrenching sustainability as a core pillar of comprehensive development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. To Page 8
He said securing supplies, raising service quality, upgrading billing and meter-reading systems, and expanding conservation programmes were central to improving public services and ensuring the optimal use of resources.
In his presentation, al-Theyab said Kahramaa was continually developing transmission and distribution networks to meet rising demand and connect the national grid to vital projects, with networks managed round the clock through control centres.
He outlined the grid’s readiness and emergency framework — combining monitoring and control systems, emergency centres and specialised technical teams — to ensure swift responses to faults and outages.
On renewable energy, he said the national strategy aimed to build a sustainable, cost-effective energy system and raise the share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic power and distributed solar-generation solutions. Integrating renewables with highly efficient conventional generation, he stressed, was key to maintaining grid stability while meeting growing demand and reducing emissions.
Turning to water, al-Theyab reviewed round-the-clock management of transmission and distribution, the replacement of ageing networks, the rollout of smart meters, and the work of the National Water Control Centre in monitoring pumping, storage, distribution and water quality. He said the corporation adhered to local and international health and environmental standards through automated quality-monitoring systems, and detailed efforts on strategic reserves, groundwater management, water-harvesting wells and underground storage to bolster water security in emergencies.
He also addressed the district-cooling services policy, regulations governing electrical connections and water installations, billing accuracy and meter-reading efficiency, digital services, awareness campaigns on rationalising consumption, and partnerships with the private sector in electricity, water and renewable-energy projects.
Members commended Kahramaa’s role in developing services and enhancing network efficiency, and urged continued investment in infrastructure to keep pace with urban and population growth. They called for the expansion of renewable-energy projects, particularly solar, and welcomed progress on the national strategy and grid readiness to accommodate new sources.
The council discussed expanding district cooling in high-density areas, intensifying awareness on the rational use of electricity and water, safeguarding the marine environment to protect seawater used in desalination, and strengthening water security and monitoring systems. Members also pressed for greater billing and meter-reading accuracy and better mechanisms for handling subscriber feedback.
They raised concerns over electricity and water tariffs for the commercial and service sectors and their bearing on economic activity, calling for policies that balance efficiency, sustainability and support for business. Members further flagged delays in connecting services to certain areas and residential plots, urging completion of infrastructure on schedule, and discussed improving supplies to farms and desert areas. They also addressed the safe use of centralised gas systems in homes and complexes, and the wider deployment of smart systems and artificial intelligence in network management and subscriber services.
Responding, al-Theyab affirmed that Kahramaa was pressing ahead with its plans to develop the sectors, enhance network efficiency and support sustainability and renewable-energy programmes, and said members’ observations would be reflected in the corporation’s development plans. Al-Ghanim thanked the president and his delegation, reaffirming the council’s commitment to supporting supply security and the efficient use of resources.
In a separate item, the council reviewed the report of the Health, Public Services and Environment Affairs Committee on the proposed law on the digital protection of children. Acting under Article 106 of its Rules of Procedure, it approved referring the proposal to the government as draft legislation for further review.