Qatar has officially inaugurated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar PV power plants, which together add 875MW of capacity to the country’s renewable energy portfolio.
The new plants more than double Qatar’s solar energy production, bringing the total to 1,675 MW.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Ras Laffan Industrial City, attended by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, and senior officials, including Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO, H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.
Describing the launch as “an important step,” Minister Al-Kaabi linked the project to Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its focus on balancing development and environmental protection.
He noted the plants will “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.7m tons annually.”
“The construction of solar power plants is one of Qatar’s most important initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, to develop sustainability projects, and to diversify electricity generation sources,” he said.
With the new facilities and the existing Al-Kharsaah plant, solar is expected to meet around 15% of the country’s peak electricity demand.
This share is projected to rise to 30% by 2029 with the anticipated 2,000 MW Dukhan solar power plant.
Minister Al-Kaabi also highlighted growing national capabilities: “We have moved beyond relying on the expertise of others… and have begun implementing such projects using our own national expertise. We are proud of them and their achievements.”
[Image caption: HH Inaugurates RLIC and MIC Solar Power Plants; Image credit: QatarEnergy]
