The Qatari General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) presents an impressive national energy plan at two-day energy summit. Kahramaa chief delivers opening address.
Doha, March 24th 2013
More than 150 of the region's key decision makers and government officials involved with alternative and renewable energy development gathered at a regional energy summit in Doha today.
"Kahramaa's primary goal is to make renewable energy power generation and electrification in Qatar feasible as well as profitable. I am also pleased to confirm our 200 MW solar power project will be fully operational within eight years," explained His Excellency Eng Essa Bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President, Kahramaa, during his opening address at the 4th Annual Qatar Alternative Energy Investors Summit. The two-day initiative is part of Kahramaa's effort towards developing a clean energy future for the country.
The summit began with a panel discussion on best case practices in renewable energy policies, and was moderated by Rebecca Groen, Business Development Manager at the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands.
This was followed by a discussion lead by Bikesh Ogra, President - Solar at Sterling and Wilson, the summit's official Gold Sponsor, who commented: ''the Middle East market is rapidly growing and reports suggest there will be up to USD 100 million worth of developments this year.''
Ogra was joined by regional experts including Engineer Saleh Hamad Al-Marri, Head of Renewable Energy Sector, Kahramaa; and August Von Joest, Member of the Supervisory Board, Windreich AG.
''The biggest factor is that renewable energy subsidies should match or maybe be more than fossil fuel subsidies,'' highlighted Al-Marri.
The day ended with a discussion on the future of the GCC countries' renewable energy plans, with key insight from academics Professor Taha Ouarda, Head of Masdar Institute, Water and Environment Program, Masdar; and Rudiger Tscherning, Director Energy and Environment Law Forum, Qatar University of Law.
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© Press Release 2013
