HH the Amir opens Umm Al Houl Power Plant
Qatar’s focus on energy has garnered the world’s attention. Last week, the country announced plans of establishing the largest ‘Energy Bank’ to fund local and international energy projects and now, the launch of a new energy megaproject reflects Qatar’s leading role in the global energy sector.
The new, QR 11 billion project, Umm Al Houl Power Plant was opened by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday at an inauguration ceremony.
HH the Amir placed a magnetic piece in the logo of the power plant to officially mark its opening. He then toured the power plant and was briefed on the mechanisms of work and production, according to Qatar Tribune.
Amir inaugurates Umm Al Houl Power Planthttps://t.co/FEBLDWZIfJ pic.twitter.com/G9bTkUs3D1
— Qatar Tribune (@Qatar_Tribune) March 25, 2019
One of the largest water desalination and power generation plants in the region, the Umm Al Houl Power Plant will generate 2,520 megawatt of electricity and 136.5 million gallon drinking water per day. It represents a great addition to water and electric security in Qatar.
In addition to strengthening the Qatari economy, the use of the world’s best environmental technology in the project will complement the country’s endeavors to reduce gas emissions as much as possible and raise the level of performance, which are important factors in the success of electricity and water production in the country, reported Gulf Times.
'محطة أم الحول للطاقة' إضافة نوعية ضمن مشاريع قطر للبنية التحتية التنموية وستحدث فرقا حيويا في قطاعات عدة، خاصة الأمن المائي والكهربائي.
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) March 25, 2019
هذه المحطة التي سعدت بافتتاحها اليوم توظف أحدث التقنيات وتراعي أعلى معايير الحفاظ على البيئة. فكل الشكر لمن أنجزوا هذا المشروع. pic.twitter.com/GUgof17OYl
The Umm Al Houl Power Plant is expected to meet 30% of the country’s needs of power and 40% of its desalinated water, highlighted HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, while speaking to the audience at the opening ceremony.
HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and a number of ministers and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the state also graced the momentous occasion.
The Umm Al Houl Power Plant adds to the long list of projects that the country has implemented to provide the necessary infrastructure for development and to support comprehensive development, HE Al Kaabi said.
HE the Minister underlined that despite of all challenges, the project was completed on time and within the estimated cost of about QR11bn, in line with the highest technical and international standards and ensuring the least impact on the environment.
He also recognized the management of Umm Al Houl Company for prioritizing the safety of workers at the site, where more than 14,000 workers were present at the same time, with a notable achievement of 69 million accident-free hours.
The partners in the Umm Al Houl project, Mitsubishi and JERA from Japan, were welcomed by HE Al Kaabi who also acknowledged all those who contributed to the completion of the project, including Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC), Samsung and Hitachi, as well as local contractors, led by Al Jaber and Mott MacDonald that oversaw the project in the design and implementation stages.
Chairman of Umm Al Houl Power Company and General Manager of QEWC, Fahad bin Hamad Al Mohannadi, said Umm Al Houl power project combines efficiency of performance through optimal utilization of natural gas through optimal use of thermal energy and reverse osmosis technology, which are considered the best in terms of environment.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi, Takehiko Kakiuchi called the Umm Al Houl Power Plant a tremendous achievement, noting that it is the first investment project for Mitsubishi in Qatar.
The project was completed before the contractual date, adding that participation in such a project was a real proof of Mitsubishi’s strategy, Kakiuchi added.
QEWC owns 60% of the Umm Al Houl Power Plant, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Foundation own 5% each, and Mitsubishi-TIBCO owns the remaining 30%.
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That is wonderful.