The Qatar Renewable Energy Strategy (QNRES), launched in 2024, signals the government’s intention to increase its investment in electricity generation from renewable sources. Goals for QNRES include seeing renewables contribute 4 GW of power to the energy mix to account for 18% of total generation, reducing power generation costs by 15% and cutting CO₂ emissions by 27% by 2030. Qatar’s CO₂ emissions were estimated at around 152m tonnes in 2025, highlighting the scale of the opportunity to diversify away from hydrocarbons. While wind power projects in Qatar’s north have been explored, solar power generation is the logical priority given Qatar’s average annual sunlight hours rank among the highest globally. Qatar is not only harnessing the elements in its drive for sustainable power production but also waste with new waste-to-energy (WTE) plants targeted in the coming years.
Robust Expansion
Qatar’s first utilities-grade solar farm in Al Kharsaah brought 800 MW of solar-generated electricity on line in 2022, with capacity to supply 10% of national peak demand. Another two plants, part of a unified complex and with a combined production capacity of 875 MW, were inaugurated in April 2025, which more than doubled national solar capacity to 1675 MW. Those plants were developed under Qatar’s independent water and power producer model, with major global energy and engineering companies heavily involved. An additional 2 GW of solar power is set to be delivered to the grid by 2029, with QatarEnergy (QE) announcing in 2025 that it had awarded Samsung C&T Corporation with the construction contract for its Dukhan photovoltaic facility. The project’s total capacity will be delivered in two phases, with the first 1 GW set to come on line before the close of 2028. Once the Dukhan complex is fully operational, Qatar’s combined solar farms are expected to offset 4.7m tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year and carry capacity to contribute up to 30% of peak electricity demand. According to data published by the Energy Institute, an international entity focusing on low-carbon energy transition, renewables accounted for around 3.6%, of Qatar’s total power generation in 2024, with solar providing almost all of that amount. These projects represent significant strides towards Qatar’s goals.
Total power generation increased by an average of 4.3% annually during 2014 and 2024, and that rate is likely to increase in the coming years in light of a rapidly expanding population and the country’s industrial sector. To keep pace with growing population needs, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), launched its Be Solar initiative in 2024 to incentivise the installation of solar panels at residential and commercial premises through dynamic, usage-dependent bill reduction and simplified installation procedures. The programme is designed to supplement larger utility-grade solar projects. Meanwhile, international investment in solar-related manufacturing lines in Qatar’s free zones is also incentivised through 100% foreign company ownership and 20-year tax holidays.
Waste To Energy
Qatar began converting waste to energy in 2011 through a dedicated facility, the Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre in Mesaieed. It receives around 828,000 tonnes of waste annually and produced 277,00 MWh of electricity from solid waste conversion in 2024. Waste generation naturally rises alongside increases in population and industrial output.
In November 2025, the government announced plans for a new WTE plant, with a launch capacity of 640,000 tonnes of waste, rising eventually to around 1m tonnes. The Ministry of Municipality announced plans for the facility at a market exploration forum, where it hosted private investors and developers. In its bid to make its 2030 sustainability goals, the government is actively seeking further international investment. That, alongside the necessity of reducing water desalination-related costs and emissions will ensure a steady raft of opportunities emerging energy segments for investors with the required capital, innovation and expertise.
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