The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) announced an ambitious plan to reduce electricity consumption in the country by 20 percent and water consumption by 35 percent in the next five years.
The announcement came on the occasion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference which opened at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
In a statement issued yesterday, Kahramaa chairman Engineer Isa Al Kuwari said, the plan will significantly contribute to Qatar's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
He said the target will be achieved through a variety of means ranging from public awareness campaigns to laws and regulations to rationalize consumption of water and electricity.
Reducing 20 percent of electricity consumption will mean cutting 2,900 million kg of carbon emission and saving 5300 KW/h of electricity. It will also help reduce consumption of natural gas by 83,000 million cubic feet, said the statement.
The targeted 35 percent reduction in water consumption will help save 110 million cubic feet of water and reduce carbon emission by 300 million kg.
From December 1, new standards and specifications will come into force for water pipes and electric cables used in buildings, to make them energy-efficient. Buildings that fail to comply with these standards will not be licensed, said the official.
Another strategy is to encourage the use of air conditioners that consume less electricity and emit less greenhouse gases. Air conditioners claim a major share of the total electricity consumption in the country. Kahramaa will soon announce a new initiative in this regard, said the official.
Kahramaa has already issued guidelines to the public on ways and means to rationalise water and electricity consumption. The ongoing awareness campaign will be intensified and penalties would also be imposed on those violating the guidelines.
The corporation is currently working with Barwa Real Estate company and the Qatar Green Building Council to promote green building concepts in the country. Part of this initiative is a competition to select the best sustainable building to present it as model for other buildings, said Al Kuwari.
The Peninsula
27 November
