By Pratap John/Chief Business Reporter

Qatar will promote the use of pro-environment compressed natural gas (CNG) for road transport, HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada has said.
“CNG is mainly methane, which is not ideal for aircraft. But we are indeed discussing with entities in Qatar the use of CNG in other vehicles. On top of the list is Qatar Airways,” al-Sada said.
A CNG filling station has already been opened at the New Industrial Area, which is now used by Karwa.
The station was designed and built by QP as a pilot project and part of the feasibility study of using CNG as an “alternative fuel” for road transport in Qatar.
QP and Mowasalat had signed a MoU in April 2012 to jointly evaluate the feasibility of introducing CNG to run public transport vehicles. Two buses were specially acquired and deployed by Mowasalat as part of the CNG pilot scheme with more buses and taxis to follow in the near future.
The pilot facility is operated by Woqod. QP, in association with Mowasalat and Woqod, will ensure that the experience gained from this pilot project will serve as the basis for expansion of the CNG network to cover the whole country and possibly extend its use to other types of vehicles in Qatar.
CNG is considered a “green fuel” as it emits virtually no particulate matter and also significantly reduces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides, all of which are either harmful to human health or contribute to global warming.
Al-Sada said expanding the use of CNG in other sectors was being discussed with many entities in Qatar.  
One station is opened, currently used by Karwa. We are expanding the use of CNG in other sectors.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said the airline was considering the prospects of using CNG in all vehicles inside the airport.
“We are talking to QP already. A team at QA is negotiating to covert or use CNG in vehicles within the airport. In the last 10 years we have had many CNG-powered vehicles inside our cargo terminal. Now that we can get CNG in larger quantities, we will convert more vehicles to the extent possible,” al-Baker said.