Doha: The Shura Council is participating in the “IRENA Legislators” forum, which began its work in Abu Dhabi, UAE, yesterday, as part of the 13th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly.
In his intervention during the first day’s work, H E Engineer Ahmed bin Hitmi Al Hitmi, member of the Shura Council and representative of the Council at the forum, highlighted the efforts of Qatar to reduce carbon emissions according to clear plans crystallised in the Qatar national strategy for environment and climate change.
In this context, he referred to the state’s plans to build a blue ammonia production plant at a cost of more than $1bn, indicating that blue ammonia is a type of fuel that can be used and converted into green hydrogen by countries seeking to reduce carbon emissions.
He stated that expectations indicate that the plant will be able to produce up to 1.2 million tons of blue ammonia annually once it starts operating in 2026.
He also noted Qatar’s endeavour to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities so that up to 11 million tons of carbon dioxide can be sequestered annually by 2035.
The forum discusses new opportunities that can emerge from potential partnerships in establishing local value chains, stimulating decarbonisation of industries, creating new jobs, and ensuring greater social justice, with the aim of providing a more sustainable energy transition through international cooperation.
The work of the 13th session of the IRENA Assembly and the accompanying meetings includes a number of topics related to renewable energy, promoting energy sustainability efforts and achieving a sustainable future, decentralised renewable energy solutions for remote and isolated communities, and stimulating local financing for renewable energy projects.
The 168-member IRENA Assembly is the agency’s supreme decision-making body as a strategic global platform for inclusive and diverse discussions on all aspects of the energy transition.
The State of Qatar joined the agency in 2010.
The 13th session of the IRENA Assembly is taking place in the UAE capital from January 14 to 15, 2023, with related ministerial and stakeholder meetings held yesterday.
The sessions will be live-streamed on the IRENA Assembly event webpage. The Assembly will be held under the overarching theme ‘World Energy Transition – The Global Stocktake’.
