Qatar Inaugurates Al Kharsaah Solar PV Plant

21 Oct 2022 Issue: 65 / 42 By: Megan Byrne

Qatar’s first solar plant is now fully operational, days after QatarEnergy took full control of the emirate’s solar interests. Al Kharsaah’s start-up comes as power consumption grows to record highs and will enable Doha to add a green veneer to the forthcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar has become the latest Gulf state behind the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman to capitalize on its sunny skies, inaugurating its first commercial solar plant on 18 October. Located 80km west of Doha, the Al Kharsaah solar photovoltaic (PV) plant has 800MW of installed capacity.

The plant was inaugurated by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who says it “will contribute to generating the equivalent of one-tenth of the energy used in the national electricity grid at peak times from a sustainable and environmentally friendly source.” It has been completed just weeks ahead of the FIFA Football World Cup which is being hosted by Qatar and which will lead to a surge in electricity demand as visitors descend on the small emirate. (CONTINUED - 839 WORDS)