Qatar firms team up to explore photovoltaic solar energy

“We hope that collaboration will see many projects become a reality both here in Qatar and across the globe,” added Dr Al Hajri.

Fahad Hamad Al Mohannadi, general manager of QEWC stated, “The interest in alternative energy sources and solar energy in Qatar is present and growing. The development and advancement of solar cell technology and the related industry should be the corner stone for the future strategy on alternative energy resources.”

“Over the past several years the region has seen a number of pioneering and strategic efforts to diversify energy resources and develop projects that rely on renewable energy. These are all efforts to help conserve traditional energy resources.

“We at QEWC believe that Qatar and the Arabian Gulf have both geographic and climate advantages suitable for the development of solar energy. Together with QEWC’s experience in power generation and water desalination and Qatar Solar Technologies efforts in research and development, we will help develop an appropriate framework which addresses the development and effective use of this promising technology in the region,” he added.

QSTec will soon be producing high quality, solar grade polysilicon, the key ingredient that goes into making the world’s most efficient solar technologies such as solar cells and modules that convert the power of the sun into energy. This solar power will provide a sustainable alternative source of energy whilst conserving and protecting Qatar’s natural resources for the future.

In time, QSTec hopes to expand and create many more solar energy solutions here in Qatar – not just benefitting Qatar but the rest of the world too by protecting the environment.

QSTec’s $1 billion polysilicon manufacturing plant, located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, will initially produce 8,000 metric tonnes per year of polysilicon. By the time this is transformed into solar modules, these solar modules will capture enough solar energy to power around 240,000 homes for an entire year.

QEWC is one of the leading utility companies in the GCC region owning assets over $6.1 billion with an equity portfolio capacity that exceeds 5,800 MW of net power and 258 million gallons per day of net potable water.

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec), with a vision to become a world leading integrated solar energy company is a joint venture formed between Qatar Solar (a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development), SolarWorld AG and Qatar Development Bank.

QSTec’s US$1Bn polysilicon manufacturing plant, located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, will initially produce 8,000 MTPA polysilicon for use in the solar industry before vertically integrating along the solar value chain. QSTec’s has acquired the advanced second generation technology for solar grade polysilicon production from Centrotherm Photovoltaics of Germany.

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has already been internationally recognised as a solar leader within the region. In December 2011 QSTec was awarded the New Economy Magazine’s Clean Tech and New Energy Award for Best Joint Venture (Middle East/Africa) at a ceremony at the London Stock Exchange.

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