State oil and gas company QatarEnergy has concluded a $12 billion contract with Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction Group. Jointly, they will construct the Dukhan solar power plant—which is located roughly 80 kilometers west of Doha. This new development is a significant move in Qatar’s energy diversification strategy as the country seeks to enhance its renewable energy portfolio.
The first stage of the Dukhan plant will produce 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity. We are looking forward for it to be grid connected to the KAHRAMAA grid by end of 2028. This initial output is only a first step toward a broader collaborative vision. The new plant expects to have at full capacity generation of 2,000 megawatts (MW) by mid-2029. The development will be built in two stages, signifying Qatar’s ongoing determination to increase its renewable energy capacity.
Enhancing Renewable Energy Capacity
The Dukhan solar power plant will contribute to increasing Qatar’s solar energy capabilities. That would more than double the country’s existing capacity. Installation will include cutting-edge technologies such as an innovative solar tracker system and high-temperature inverters. All of these innovations try to get the most efficiency possible and increase power production.
Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, celebrated the project’s importance. He directly connected it to the delivery of Qatar National Vision 2030. He stated,
“This agreement is an important milestone in our effort to manage the environment in a manner that balances economic and social development with environmental protection, as stipulated by Qatar National Vision 2030. It also supports one of the key goals of QatarEnergy’s Sustainability Strategy, which is to generate more than 4,000MW of renewable energy by 2030.”
Environmental Impact and Goals
Beyond providing drinking water, the Dukhan plant supports Qatar’s larger goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Once completed, this project will be a part of the region’s expanding solar project roster which includes the Al-Kharsaah, Mesaieed and Ras Laffan plants. Combined, they will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4.7 million tons annually. This reduction contributes significantly toward meeting both local and international climate commitments.
Abdulla bin Ali Al-Theyab, president of KAHRAMAA, was present at the signing ceremony of the agreement. He stressed the importance of working together to meet complex and ambitious energy objectives. The Dukhan plant will provide over 30% of Qatar’s peak electricity demand at full capacity. This is a huge opportunity to invest in the nation’s energy infrastructure.