Contracts Worth QR8.3 Billion Signed for Phase 13-Qatar Power Transmission System Expansion Plan

Doha, April 09 (QNA) - Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) signed a slew of electricity networks expansion projects contracts with a number of local and International companies for Phase 13- Qatar Power Transmission System Expansion Plan worth QR 8 billion and 300 million Qatari Riyals. During a press conference held Sunday at KAHRAMAA headquarters, KAHRAMAA President Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari signed the contracts with representatives of the companies which have been selected after bidding procedures to carry out these projects, in the presence of HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada. The upcoming projects involve contractors and consultants for Transmission infrastructure development to implement through appropriate international and local private EPC participation. The EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contracts for Phase 13 are for the supply and commissioning of transmission cable and substations. All projects will contribute to improving the power infrastructure in and around Doha, enabling KAHRAMAA to help achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. These projects include construction of total 77 substations which are being built in various locations of the country. Phase 13 projects also cover up gradation of few old substations. The project will also witness lying of total 453.3 Kilo Meters Extra High Voltage (EHV) cables. Speaking on the occasion, HE Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said that under the guidance, patronage and support of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and with the support of the Qatari government for this project implemented by KAHRAMAA, the nine contracts signed today worth QR3.8 billion to expand the local network of the state and support the development and expansion of the country, and the increasing demand for electricity in residential, commercial and industrial sectors in Qatar. HE the Minister noted that the period of implementation of these contracts extends from 16 to 26 months, and were signed with huge and specialized international companies, stressing that these companies will be used in the subcontracts of Qatari companies. HE Al Sada underlined that these contracts are only a model for the comprehensive development in the country, and will also support the development process, especially since the strengthening of electricity networks supports any kind of expansion or development anywhere in the world, so the State of Qatar has always been keen to provide electricity and water supplies to avoid any kind of shortcomings and this is a firmed policy in the State of Qatar. HE the Minister of Energy and Economy expressed the hope that the long experience of the companies with whom the contracts were signed will contribute to the implementation of projects in the specified time, budget and quality, taking into account the safety of their employees. For his part, KAHRAMAA President Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari said that the signing of contracts is in line with KAHRAMAA mission and objectives to provide high quality electricity and water services in the state, and in line with the companys sustainable developments commitment towards Qatar National Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy to keep pace with economic and urban development, investment in human capital, environmental protection and the preservation of national wealth for future generations. He noted that the expansion plan has been devised to meet the growing demand for electricity in Qatar, as the country continues to witness tremendous development and urbanization. The utility providers expansion project aims to ensure stable power supply to all sectors including households, business centers, shopping malls, hospitals and schools. He added that the new contracts are characterized by the "demand when needed" feature, in the sense that there are new stations that need to expand over the next three years, under this feature, no new contracts are needed, which can shorten time through the contracts, which has the flexibility and appropriate prices for the implementation of future needs. He stressed that the projects will serve different sectors in the country, the most important of which is the land sector, which has been allocated by the government to the citizens. The projects will also cover a range of industrial sectors, Economic Zones and logistics areas, in addition to one of the major World Cup stations. For the first time, he noted, a major contract in the transport networks is awarded to a local Qatari company. This is an achievement calculated for KAHRAMAA. In previous years, the Qatari companies were considered and qualified until they reached the competitive stage and the ability to take projects in the transport networks individually, along with alliances of Qatari companies and international companies. (QNA)