Al-Raya: Umm Al Houl Power Plant New Strategic Success

Doha, July 07 (QNA) - In its editorial Wednesday, Al-Raya newspaper highlighted HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani's inauguration of Umm Al Houl Power Plant expansion project, in Umm Al Houl Economic Zone in Al Wakra City on Tuesday morning. The newspaper said that Umm Al Houl Power Plant expansion comes to emphasise the State of Qatar's keenness on water security as a fundamental issue that cannot be overlooked. As part of Qatar's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and maintain its national and strategic security, the establishment of this monumental edifice and strategic project contributes to achieving sustainable development within the Qatar National Vision 2030, which gave the issue of achieving food and water security a top priority, the paper said. The State of Qatar was keen, when establishing this plant, to provide it with modern and environmentally friendly technologies used in water desalination, to reduce carbon emissions, which will greatly contribute to raising the efficiency of managing natural resources in line with Qatar's National Vision that encourages the use of environmentally sound technologies, the paper underlined. Umm Al Houl Power Plant expansion project constitutes a quantum leap towards achieving self-sufficiency in the production of electricity and water, and enhances the efficiency of national companies in building a prosperous and sustainable economy, the paper pointed out, noting HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi's affirmation that the project is considered a new achievement added to a series of achievements and successes accomplished by the State of Qatar under wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, particularly those related to managing our water and energy resources and the related infrastructure in a manner that enhances water and electric security. The paper also hailed this leading project, which was accomplished during difficult and challenging circumstances and in record time and ahead of schedule. Umm Al Houl Power Plant, the paper said, will meet 30% of the country's electric energy needs, and 40% of its desalinated water needs, producing 2,520 megawatts of electricity and 197.9 million gallons per day of desalinated water. In conclusion, Al-Raya said that Umm Al Houl Power Plant expansion project will encourage production and enhance the economy, as the energy sector contributes to achieving significant economic growth, noting that the State of Qatar has witnessed a growth in energy demand, due to the growth of GDP, and therefore, it was necessary to expand power generation and water projects to keep pace with the population and economic growth in the country. (QNA)