Qatar plans major solar energy plant

Qatar has revealed plans to construct a major solar energy plant able to generate at least 100MW of solar power within five years.

More than US $500 million (QAR1.8 billion) is to be invested by the Qatar Foundation for the plant, which will make polysilicon - the much sought-after raw material for solar cells.

The hi-tech, modular plant is to be built in Europe by a leading manufacturer and put together in Qatar on site, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) executive chairman Dr Tidu Maini told Gulf Times.

“Plans are in the final stages for the polysilicon plant,” said Dr Maini. “What we will do in Qatar is to build a base facility, producing 3,000 tonnes a year, and we might go up to 12 tonnes later,” Dr Maini said.

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The project is expected to take two years.

QSTP will also encourage its tenants Tata, Chevron, Shell, and Total, which are major players in solar, to collaborate with Qatari companies emerging in the sector.