*Deal to add value to Lusail City, reflecting its goal of being a sustainable smart city

The Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), through its National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (Qatari Diar) to set up 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Lusail City.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
The MoU was signed by Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari and Qatari Diar CEO Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah. It comes in the framework of Kahramaa's electric vehicles policy, drafted in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC). There are currently 11 charging stations, with plans for 30 more this year, including the 10 new stations for Lusail.
The MoU suits Lusail City's vision of sustainability and is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 that places economic, social and environmental development as a joint goal.
HE al-Sulaiti said the agreement is part of the ministry's strategy of establishing an electric vehicle charging stations network. He noted that next year will see the operation of 100 chargers, adding that these stations will be placed in strategic areas such as Hamad International Airport, Hamad Port, Grand Hamad Street and many other areas.
He said Monday's announcement would add value to Lusail City, reflecting its goal of being a sustainable smart city, adding that the recently announced electric vehicles strategy would help develop an infrastructure for EV public transport that would be the first of its kind in the region.
He also noted that as part of the strategy, the ministry is working with Mowasalat Co (Karwa) on a plan to replace the entire fleet to EVs in the coming years.
Al-Kuwari said the corporation is looking to provide a healthy and safe environment for future generations by promoting sustainability and reducing harmful carbon emissions. “One of the most important ways to achieve this is to promote electric vehicles and install the necessary infrastructure for it in co-ordination with the MoTC and other relevant authorities in Qatar," he said, stressing Qatar's intention to present an environment-friendly and carbon-neutral 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He explained that the agreement is an example to be followed in the field of sustainable cities and a model for consolidating all efforts to enhance sustainability. Al-Kuwari praised Qatari Diar’s initiative to install 10 charging stations for electric vehicles and seek Kahramaa's assistance in this regard, represented by Tarsheed, which will provide the necessary technical support and supervise the implementation of the project from the stage of design to operation and follow-up.
Al-Attiyah said the agreement comes as a continuation of the co-operation between Qatari Diar and Kahramaa and other government institutions. He added that Qatari Diar is taking part in the initiative in order to provide a more sustainable energy source for transportation within Qatar by providing fast charging stations for electric cars inside Lusail to encourage the spread of EVs.
He stressed that Lusail City puts in its strategic vision the achievement of sustainability principles, preserving the environment and relying on alternative energy sources to reduce the generation of carbon dioxide and control emissions within the city, in addition to the GSAS standards that are already being used in the city.
During the ceremony, Qatari Diar chief development and asset management officer Yousef al-Musleh gave a detailed explanation of the mechanism of these stations and their locations. Kahramaa will carry out all infrastructure works for shipping terminals and installation of their own equipment, providing advice and the necessary technical support during the process of preparing, installing and examining the charging stations. Qatari Diar will purchase supplies, install and test the charging stations.
“The sites of all stations have been identified in the city's high-density public areas such as the Marina Walk, Marina Parking and Crescent Park. The highest technical standards are adopted in the specifications. Vehicles can be charged up to 80% in just 30 minutes with a capacity of 50kW in line with applicable international electrical safety standards,” he explained.
The MoTC recently said that 25% of the public transit bus fleet in Qatar would become electric by 2022.
This comes as the MoTC is executing the electric vehicle strategy it has developed in collaboration with the bodies concerned, and which is part of its strategy to "provide an integrated, world-class, multi-modal transportation system that offers safe, reliable and eco-friendly services".
The electrified buses will be used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making it the first championship where electric mass transit buses will be deployed.

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