Plans are underway to adopt Qatar's first renewable energy strategy, said a top official at the Sustainability Summit 2017 which opened on Sunday at Ritz Carlton Doha.
Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, president, Kahramaa, said that a discussion between the Ministry of Energy and Industry, General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and other partners, is underway to adopt Qatar's first renewable energy strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce harmful emissions.
Al-Kuwari was speaking on behalf of HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada.
In the energy and industry sector, per capita electricity consumption is reduced by 18% and water consumption by 20% in 2016 compared to the previous year, he pointed out.
“The conservation programme has managed to reduce 8.5mn tonnes of carbon emissions since its launch until 2016. The programme aims to reduce the per capita consumption of water and electricity by 35% and 25% respectively by 2022. It is aimed to reduce about 6mn tonnes of harmful carbon emissions by 2022,” he noted.
In the construction and infrastructure sector, al-Kuwari said there are many initiatives, such as the Qatar Standards and Metrology Authority’s new chapter in the Qatar Construction Standards entitled "Green Building", which includes quantitative standards related to energy, water, materials and the internal environment.
“The specifications of electrical appliances and water connections in line with best practices of sustainability and conservation, such as those for air-conditioning systems, are being approved for the second phase of energy efficiency and expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2018,” the official added.
Al-Kuwari said that the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy aims for a carbon neutral tournament, in addition to building all its facilities according to the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) standards approved by FIFA, thus achieving savings in energy and water estimated at more than 40% compared to normal consumption rates.
Lusail City and the Public Works Authority (Asghal) have adopted GSAS standards for certifying all its government and private buildings, maintained the official. Asghal has also developed urban plans for the new economic zones, in accordance with GSAS requirements for green buildings.
In the transport sector, al-Kuwari pointed out that Qatar Rail is one of the largest and most sustainable infrastructure projects. “It has set strict environmental requirements for the design, construction and operation of all stations, achieving a four-star rating in accordance with GSAS standards. This has cut carbon emissions by at least 30% compared to standard rates,” he added.
Gulf Times
November 27
