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Sameh Saeid
Doha
Qatar plans to have renewable energy account for 20 percent of its total power generation capacity by 2030, said Sheikh Mishaal bin Jabor al Thani, the Energy Department Director at the Ministry of Energy and Industry.
Speaking at a workshop on renewable energy in Doha on Sunday, he said the current focus of most of the stakeholders in Qatar's energy sector was to bring the private sector into the field.
The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Energy and Industry in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The day-long event was aimed at enhancing the state efforts in the renewable energy sector, which is part of Qatar's efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
Citing a speech made by the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani in November 2016, the energy director said Qatar seeks to generate 200 megawatts of power in the first phase of an ambitious solar project and then increase the capacity to 500 megawatts.
"Renewable energy in Qatar is not only an economic option to preserve the country's natural resources, generate electricity or increase interest in the environment. It is also a vehicle to expand investments in sustainable technologies and sustainable energy,"Sheikh Mishaal said.
The government is investing in renewable energy in several countries, he said, adding that the country is working on a comprehensive strategy for renewable energy sector.
Highlighting social, economic and environmental benefits of the renewable energy, Sheikh Mishaal called upon stakeholders in the sector to cooperate in proposing policies and formulating legislations to further build competencies and expertise in the field.
An executive summary distributed by IRENA during the event said renewable energy projects continue to gain momentum as costs continue to come down with each passing year.
The agency is confident that the share of renewable energy in the energy mix can be doubled by 2030. Reaching that milestone would help limit emissions by 12 gigaton a year. Meanwhile, improved energy efficiency will help reduce emissions by 8 gigaton, it added.
The summary, however, said reaching those goals would require increasing investments from $360 billion in 2015 to $1,300 billion in 2030.
