Amid global challenges posed by the climate change, exploring new sources of clean and enduring energy is the pursuit of all nations. Qatar has adopted an ambitious strategy to meet its renewable energy goals. It has implemented major projects to reduce reliance on biofuels in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The country seeks to produce 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, slash greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent and invest in solar energy storage research and grid integration projects.
One of Qatar’s flagship renewable energy projects is the Al Kharsaah solar power plant, west of Doha. With a production capacity of 800 megawatts across 10 square kilometres and equipped with more than 1.8 million solar panels, the plant supplies electricity to roughly 60,000 homes. It covers up to 10 percent of the nation’s electricity needs at peak times and delivers power at a highly competitive rate.
With abundant solar radiation throughout the year, Qatar is well-positioned to harness solar energy as a reliable and clean resource. Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has highlighted the growing role of its ‘BeSolar’ service in accelerating the country’s transition towards renewable energy, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.
The BeSolar service enables customers to install solar energy systems and benefit from a net billing mechanism, allowing them to generate electricity on-site while exporting surplus power to the national grid.
The excess energy is credited to subsequent electricity bills, making solar adaptation more financially viable. The service represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions, achieving long-term financial savings, and promoting the use of clean energy sources.
The service operates through a net metering system that calculates the difference between electricity consumed and exported. This mechanism helps lower monthly bills and allows customers to gradually recover installation costs.
Kahramaa offers flexible solar installation options tailored to different facility types. These include rooftop photovoltaic systems for optimal efficiency, solar canopies over parking areas that provide both electricity and shade, and ground-mounted systems suitable for large-scale or open-land projects.
The initiative is part of Qatar’s broader efforts under the Qatar National Renewable Energy Strategy (QNRES), which aims to expand renewable energy adoption and build a sustainable energy system. The strategy focuses on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, increasing renewable energy penetration, while maintaining grid stability, and maximising socio-economic benefits.
