Qatar Power, Siemens Extend Ras Laffan Maintenance Contract

Doha, December 19 (QNA) - Qatar Power Company announced its extension for a long-term maintenance contract with Siemens German company, worth QR 400 million for 15 years, as part of the relations between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany and in aim to develop these relation in all economic, political and trade aspects. The contract was signed by Qatar Power Executive Managing Director Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Baker and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Qatar Adrian Wood. The signing ceremony was attended by Managing Director and Member of the Board at Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) Fahad bin Hamad Al Mohannadi, who is also Chairman of Qatar Power Company, in addition to members of the board and Senior Executive Vice President of Siemens Power Generation Services in the Middle East and North Africa, Gianluigi Di Giovanni. On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Fahad bin Hamad Al Mohannadi said Umm Al Houl power station currently operates at its full capacity and will be open in February, 2019. He said QEWC is undergoing two activities within the solar energy sector, the first will kick off at the beginning of 2019, and by the end of 2020 the first solar energy station will operate with a capacity of 350 megawatts. The second will include a second station of 250 megawatt capacity, resulting in a total of 700 megawatts by mid-2021. Al Mohannadi added all projects at QEWC are always offered through tenders, and there are about 16 companies that have been qualified to enter projects related to solar energy. The companies will compete for a 25 year electricity purchase contract and long-term contracts will be awarded to companies offering competitive prices. He added that foreign investment opportunities are good and Nebras Power is working well in this regard, and will represent by the end of this year 17 percent of profits of QEWC. Al Mohannadi pointed out that Siemens operates 40 percent of the power plants supervised by QEWC. He added that Siemens has a strong and successful track record and has been in contact with the State of Qatar for more than 35 years. These long-term relationships have contributed to Siemens' commitment to the State of Qatar and there has been corporate loyalty to its customers. The Gulf region has gone through many crises and Siemens has been working with Qatar throughout this period this confirms the robustness of the Qatari market and the desire of foreign companies to continue operating in it, stressing that the maintenance work in the stations operating in the country is not affected, especially under the current circumstances, Al Mohannadi said. Qatar Power Executive Managing Director Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Baker said the signing of this agreement with the German company Siemens comes at a time when the State of Qatar is to implement several ambitious projects to strengthen the energy sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 to raise the level of services in it. He added that it stems from the company's firm belief in the role of the private sector in supporting the country's energy projects in all aspects as a partner in the country's comprehensive development, adding that Siemens' advanced technologies will contribute to enhancing station performance and saving future maintenance costs. HE Ambassador of Germany to the State of Qatar Hans-Udo Muzel said highlighted the importance of the signing as it is proof to the significance of the services provided by Siemens Qatar, it also stresses the potential of the State of Qatar, especially with regard to the energy sector which is necessary for life and not only concerns the people but also vital projects required for the development of countries. His Excellency expressed his country's readiness to support Qatar in all fields, especially in light of the relations of cooperation and friendship that bring them together. Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Qatar Adrian Wood said the contract signing reaffirms the trust that the advanced Siemens technologies is able to support Qatar in its long term plans to provide reliable electricity, economic feasibility and sustainability for homes and factories. He added that through working closely with partners such as the French company, ENGIE, they are leading the digital transformation in the energy sector in Qatar through the implementing projects that establish new standards in efficiency and innovation. Qatar Power, part of (QEWC), is a leading company in the State of Qatar for electricity production and water desalination using highest standards of quality and environmental safety. The company was established to meet the Qatar's increasing needs for electricity and water and to keep up with the growth and develop requirements of the State, where the first station was establish in 2005 in Ras Laffan industrial city, in partnership with QEWC, ENGIE and Japanese company, JERA. Since its establishment, Qatar Power has been working to achieve its objectives of producing electricity and water desalination and operating and maintaining its plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City using Qatari natural gas as a clean and environmentally friendly energy in accordance with the highest international standards in terms of quality and efficiency. The production capacity of the plant is 1025 MW of electricity and 60 million gallons of desalinated water per day, and this is done by three gas turbines from Siemens SGT5-4000F, in addition to two steam turbines working on the heat-use system, as well as four distillers from the Korean company Doosan. Qatar Power aims to continuously strive to meet all requirements efficiently, effectively and with high quality through its Ras Laffan plant in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner. It also aims to become the most reliable source of electricity and desalinated water in the State of Qatar. To achieve all its objectives, Qatar Power sets a high level of core values in the management of all its operations with regards to safety and security, in compliance with high professional standards and strict transparency in all work facilities, which meets the needs of the State efficiently and with high quality. (QNA)