LANI ROSE R DIZON

DOHA ABOUT QR122 billion worth of water and electricity projects are planned to be implemented in Qatar over the next 10 years, Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohammad bin Saleh al Sada said on Sunday.

Speaking at the opening of the 10th Gulf Water Conference, the minister said that about QR22 billion would be spent on developing water networks in the country in the next 10 years and about QR70 billion would be spent on developing electricity generation, water production, and expansion of electricity grids and water infrastructure between 2011 and 2021.

Estimate of expected investments in projects to develop electricity networks during the next 10 years is about QR30 billion, he said.

The minister stressed the need to invest in desalination technology and develop research on water recycling and waste water treatment which could be safely reused in industrial, health, environmental and agricultural sectors.

Highlighting the importance of efficient water consumption, he called upon decision-makers to invest in the right kind of agricultural products which adapt well with the region’s arid environment.

He said that the Barzan Project which is being executed would also meet the growing demand for water and electricity in Qatar.

During the event, Essa Ben Hilal al Kuwari, conference president and president of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), said that the government was in discussions to develop a scientific project on solar powered water desalination plant.

He also said, “It is the national vision to develop Qatar as a role model in sustainable development by 2030. Kahramaa plays a major role in fulfilling that vision. In the last five years, we have spent more than QR11 billion in expanding our water networks and we are planning to spend over QR31 billion more for new projects in water infrastructure between 2012 and 2016.” Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf Dr Abul Latif bin Rashid al Zayani said, “GCC countries in the coming five years will witness economic growth which also requires growth in water consumption and increase in the population. It is estimated that our population will reach 50 million in the coming years. Our per capita water consumption at 350 litres is the highest in the world. We are at a transitional period from economies based on resourceconsumption to knowledge-based economies.”