Located in Al Kharsaah, west of Doha, this solar farm of more than 1.8 million solar panels covers 10 km2, making it “one of the largest in the region”, according to the Minister of Energy and Chairman of Qatar Energy, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi. With a capacity of 800 megawatts, the project launched in 2016 and operational since June aims to cover 10% of the country’s electricity consumption. According to the organizers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, who are promising a carbon-neutral tournament, the plant will supply the stadiums with electricity.
At a press conference, however, Mr. Al-Kaabi said he had no information on this point. In addition to TotalEnergies (19.6%), the Japanese company Marubeni (20.4%) is a partner in the Al Kharsaah plant. The French oil and gas giant has also signed two major contracts with Qatar this year to develop the world’s largest natural gas field, the North Field.
“The fact that TotalEnergies recently became Qatar’s leading international partner is a strong sign,” commented CEO Patrick Pouyanné, interviewed by AFP.
“This is the result of a lot of work over several years, but I think it comes at a good time when the question of Europe’s security of supply is facing us all,” he added. “It looks like the only company working in Qatar!” laughed Al-Kaabi. “We have the same mentality: to be on the cutting edge of technology, to try to go to remote exploration areas and also towards renewable energy,” he explained.
“I think our partnership is going to get even stronger but that doesn’t mean we don’t have other very important partners and soon you will see us signing with others,” the minister slipped in, while the country has yet to unveil the names of other foreign companies involved on the North Field.
Qatar, which is aiming for 5 gigawatts of solar power capacity by 2035, announced in late August two more large-scale solar power projects that should allow it to more than double its production within two years.
The solar farm of Al Kharsaah, it should be “extended” by 2035, said the minister. However, the emirate is lagging behind its Gulf neighbors. Saudi Arabia announced this year its intention to exceed the 5 GW threshold by 2030, and solar power plants have existed in the United Arab Emirates for nearly a decade.
