Qatar eyes move into solar power

The Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) has announced that it is to begin tests on a major new solar power project next year.

Hamad Mohammed al Kuwari, its research director for energy, said a suitable site had been identified to carry out the extensive testing as the Gulf state, the world leader in liquefied natural gas production, targets alternative energy sources.

"We will be testing various technologies available for the test instead of developing our own technology. We would like to evolve a homegrown approach to the conversion of solar energy," he said in comments published by Qatar Tribune on Thursday.

He said the project was progressing well and the target for starting the test was for 2010.

He told the paper it could take up to two years for the testing process to take place.

He added: “Once the most suitable technology has been identified, the same will be announced and the authorities concerned will be intimated. It will be for the higher authorities to take a decision on large scale commercial production.”

In the first phase, the performance of each technology will be observed in the light of Qatar’s dusty, hot and humid conditions.

Mohammed Abdisalam, director for Environment Research, said, “As Qatar is in a transition phase of using low-carbon energy, QSTP has also been trying to lay the foundation for production and use of clean energy and has identified solar energy as the best source of clean energy available in abundance in Qatar.

Conceived as a hub for research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology development, QSTP bridges the gap between laboratory and commercial application of technology by providing a dynamic research environment.