DOHA: Qatar’s mega Umm Al Houl Power Plant is expected to be operational in October 2018. After completing 99 percent of the project works, the QEWC is now involved in the final preparations before the launch of the project, Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) General Manager and Managing Director Fahad bin Hamad Al Mohannadi (pictured) has said. He was speaking at a ceremony organised by QEWC to honour top performing employees of the company.
Umm Al Houl Plant is one of the biggest power and desalination plants in the region, with the participation of QEWC (60 percent), Qatar Petroleum (5 percent), Qatar Foundation (5 percent) and a consortium of Japanese Companies Mitsubishi Corporation and TEPCO (30 percent). When it is completed, this project shall provide 25 percent of the electricity and 30 percent of the water needs in Qatar.
Al Mohannadi also said the first phase of QEWC’s Solar project will be completed by the end of 2020. The investment in the project would range between $500 to $700m, he said.
The joint venture for electricity generation using solar power was signed with QP in 2016 to establish Siraj Power Company, with 60 percent share by QEWC. Two phases of this project are expected to be completed during 2020 with production capacity of 500 MW. The Solar Power Plant Project is considered as one of the strategically important projects in the country as it adds an economic value by diversifying the sources of energy and decreasing carbon emissions.
Al Mohannadi said QEWC is committed to developing and sustaining its business in accordance with the highest international standards and practices and to achieve the highest profit rates for its shareholders. The company has achieved high levels of performance and has continued to effectively contribute to its role in supporting the comprehensive growth in the country.
Al Mohannadi said Nebras Energy is considered one of the most important companies owned by QEWC as the company’s arm in foreign investment. He pointed out that closing of some markets after the siege contributed to the opening of other markets in eastern Europe and Asia. The company now has many projects in Indonesia, Middle East, Jordan, Tunisia and an old project in Oman, and all the projects are running well with very reasonable returns.
He pointed out that the QEWC currently has a project related to the rehabilitation of Ras Abu Fontas station. He said that the station was non-operational in December 2017, and there is currently a study to reconstruct the station completely. A study is being conducted to determine the economic aspect that could be acquired by the station, he said.
