An estimated 80 percent of Qatar’s total water desalination process would be soon powered by solar energy. The country’s proposed 1,800MW solar project is in the final stage.
Once the project becomes operational, Qatar’s water needs would be mainly met through solar energy, announced Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiya, Chairman of the Organising Sub-Committee for COP18/CMP8 .
“The time is right and we are now in a final design stage of putting together the solar plant which will generate 1,800MW power from 2014 onwards and would potentially produce 80 percent of our water needs through harnessing solar power”, he said while addressing the media.
Qatar’s aquifers have almost depleted. We need a sustainable system to generate water, he added.
Qatar realizes the fact that it is critically vulnerable. The country imports 90 percent of its total food demand. We will look into how it is impacting on our environment.
Al Attiya said there is an increasing tendency of countries putting more and more restrictions on their export quota. This shows climate change is becoming risky. Qatar’s recently launched Food Security Programme is aimed at addressing this concern.
Replying to a query, Al Attiya said Qatar’s emission slash and development program would go hand in hand. The country is committed to ensure that its economic growth is happening at the cost of its delicate environment.
The Qatar National Vision 2030 reaffirms this commitment, he said.
The Peninsula
2 December
