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Qatari firm sees vibrant market for solar energy

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Category: Local News

Created on Friday, 07 January 2011 08:18

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

DOHA: Despite Qatar being one of the leaders in the oil and gas sector, there is a growing interest here in tapping alternative and sustainable sources of energy like the sun.

“It is vey important to bear in mind that even though Qatar is rich in oil and gas, we have to be cautious for the next generation making people realise we cannot be solely dependent on gas and that solar energy is an excellent alternative,” said Amin Zain, Project Manager/Director of Solar Manufacturing Technology Qatar (Solmateq).

A new Qatari company, Solmateq is one of the exhibitors at the ongoing Made in Qatar exhibition and it is showcasing its state-of-the-art manufacturing of fully automated solar module production lines, based on its unique expertise in plasma, vacuum technology and nano-engineering technology.

The company is all set to start manufacturing solar panels in their factory based in Qatar. The products will then be sold in Qatar and exported to other countries as well, according to Zain.

“Qatar is one of the leaders in other energies and we want to put Qatar on the map for renewable and clean energy, that is why it is very important for us to have the opportunity to bring the products to other countries and for the company and technology to be based here,” said Ahmed Abbassi, Sales and Marketing Manager.

Solmateq Headquarters are based in Doha. This privileged position in the Gulf is central in the Middle East region and also for the world. Qatar offers great opportunities for development, stability, creating a favourable environment for the nano-technology industry. Qatar is also a natural bridge between the Western and Eastern parts of the world.

While Solmateq operations, management, sales, marketing and engineering will be based in Doha, Qatar, its Research and Development Centre will be located in the High-Tech Campus Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Abbassi believes Qatar’s hosting of World Cup in 2022 will play a major role in making a vibrant market for solar energy in the near future.

“Qatar’s winning bid to host World Cup 2022 was based on clean energy. The stadiums will have to have renewable energy, mostly solar energy and we are ready for this.”

Zain said in the long term solar energy has the lowest cost in terms of production and usage.

“The sun is free and it is the greatest power,” he said, adding solar energy has innumerable benefits including sustainability and environment preservation.

Source: The Peninsula, January 7, 2011

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