ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS
As Qatar continues its rapid development, state leaders are employing renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure technology to reduce impacts on the environment.
Among the four pillars of Qatar's National Vision 2030 are ambitious goals to develop green urban spaces to protect ecosystems and reduce impacts on the environment. State officials are currently working to expand renewable energy sources that will power cities and smart infrastructure systems, with aims of fostering a more prosperous and sustainable future.
One of Qatar's largest green projects is the Siraj Solar Energy plant, which is expected to produce 700MW of electricity by the end of 2021, according to Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, the minister of energy affairs and chairman of Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC). The project is being developed as a JV between QEWC, with its 60% stake, and Qatar Petroleum, with its 40% stake.
The western Qatari town of Al Kharsaah has been chosen to host the solar power plant, and land allocated to the development may one day produce up to 1,000MW of electricity through photovoltaic panels. The first phase of the Siraj Solar energy plant is underway, with an initial investment of USD500-600 million that will produce 500MW, helping the nation diversify its energy sources and move away from carbon-based power generation.
Meanwhile, Qatar University's College of Arts and Sciences is researching new technologies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, as well as increase efficiency of the existing energy-producing infrastructure using oil-based fuels and natural gas. One such initiative is seeking to develop renewable liquid transportation fuel, with a focus on the aviation industry to create high-density biofuels based on environmentally friendly microalgae for airplanes. Researchers at the university are also working to generate energy from sewage in wastewater treatment plants by burning organically produced methane gas.
These projects are progressing, as urban planners throughout the country continue to emphasize green building practices, by prioritizing constructions with certifications from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Officials with the Qatar Green Building Council aim to have the highest number of green or carbon-neutral buildings in the Middle East and North Africa region by 2030.
Qatar currently has the second most LEED certified structures in the region, behind the UAE. In the coming decade, an array of new projects will boost the nation's standing as new regulations are applied to increase structural energy efficiency through better building insulation, air-conditioning systems, smart water usage, and rooftop solar panel installations.
At the same time, the Green Building Council has been utilizing the Green Key Award to provide incentives for tourism facilities that pursue environmentally friendly development and business models. Like LEED, the Green Key system audits businesses and spaces such as hotels, conference centers, and restaurants to rate their environmental impact and reward sustainable practices.
New legislation is being introduced to plant more trees in urban centers and create more pedestrian-friendly areas that will allow people to walk by foot between residential neighborhoods and their work places.
As Qatar is located in one of the world's hottest areas, engineers have been working to devise a mass cooling system to sustainably reduce temperatures in districts and buildings. In the past, air-conditioning has been primarily used to cool interior spaces, but this method requires high-energy input and is inefficient for the region's prolonged heat waves.
In response, the private company, Qatar Cool, has created a cooling system that uses less energy by cooling districts and buildings through underground cold-water pipes. The system works like a reverse thermostat heating system in which cold water is transported to reduce temperatures, without the high energy loss associated with traditional air conditioning mechanisms.
ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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