*Kahramaa has comprehensive plan to encourage use of solar energy in households

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) is set to launch an energy efficiency certification programme for hotels and prepare a comprehensive strategy to encourage the use of solar energy in households, Gulf Times has learnt.

Kahramaa, under its National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), will sign a contract with Qatar Green Building Council in this regard.

"There will be a certification for hotels based on energy consumption efficiency," Kahramaa's Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department manager Abdulaziz Ahmad al-Hammadi said.

The certification will be on a yearly basis for hotels with a high rate of efficiency. Kahramaa also has plans to carry out audits to check whether the hotels conform to Tarsheed standards in electricity and water consumption.

Though the certification is not mandatory, Kahramaa will take steps to promote energy and water conservation measures in hotels and other buildings, al-Hammadi said.

Kahramaa also has plans to set up a solar substation by 2021 in order to help residents and commercial buildings tap the potential of renewable energy.

“Solar energy will be feasible and we are working towards setting up a solar energy substation with a capacity of 350mw,” the official said.

Kahramaa is preparing a comprehensive strategy in order to encourage the use of solar energy in households. “Schemes to encourage the use of renewable energy are in the making,” al-Hammadi said.

He said Kahramaa has plans to bring in regulations for electrical home appliances in order to ensure more energy efficiency. Under the plan, refrigerators, washing machines and other home appliances will be brought under the regulations of Tarsheed.

Al-Hammadi said home appliances will be upgraded to international standards with low energy consumption rate. “The plan will be implemented after holding discussions with all stakeholders including the departments concerned and traders in Qatar,” he said. The plan will be implemented by the end of this year.

Kahramaa has so far introduced Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling. The second phase of the energy efficiency star rating for air conditioners will be launched soon.

Tarsheed has helped Qatar save QR1.75bn in 2018 through reduction of electricity and water consumption.

According to statistics, Qatar recorded a saving of QR1,470mn and QR283mn by reducing electricity consumption by 6295gwh and water consumption by 33.22mm3, respectively. In 2018, natural gas consumption was reduced by 60,642mcf due to intervention and awareness by Tarsheed. The year also witnessed a reduction of 3.66 tonnes of carbon emission. The achievements were gained by Kahramaa after it launched a slew of measures including intervention, awareness and enforcement through Tarsheed. The ambitious programme was launched in April 2012 as part of Qatar National Vision 2030.

According to Tarsheed statistics, the Hotels Consumption Reduction Initiative resulted in saving 4,670mwh electricity. Enhancing MEPS standard and labelling for air conditioners helped the country save 405,000mwh of electricity while the phasing out of incandescent lamps led to a saving of 570,4000mwh electricity.

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