QatarEnergy has announced that it has signed an agreement with Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction Group (Samsung C&T) for the construction of a world-scale solar power plant in Dukhan, located about 80 km west of Doha.

The Dukhan solar power plant, one of the largest in the world, will be developed in two phases, reaching a total electricity generation capacity of 2,000 MW by mid-2029.

Once completed, it will double Qatar’s solar power production capacity, contributing significantly to the country’s renewable energy goals. The agreement was signed by Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, and Sechul Oh, the President and CEO of Samsung C&T at QatarEnergy’s headquarters in Doha.

Al-Kaabi said: “This agreement is an important milestone in our effort to manage the environment in a manner that balances economic and social development with environmental protection, as stipulated by Qatar National Vision 2030. It also supports one of the key goals of QatarEnergy’s Sustainability Strategy, which is to generate more than 4,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030.”

 “When completed, the Dukhan solar power plant, along with Al-Kharsaah, Mesaieed, Ras Laffan solar power plants will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.7 million tons annually, while contributing up to 30 per cent of Qatar’s total peak electricity demand. We are pleased to collaborate with Samsung C&T to help achieve this vision.”

The Dukhan solar power plant will begin the first phase of production by dispatching 1,000 MW of power to the Kahramaa (Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation) grid towards the end of 2028. The new plant will utilise a solar tracker system and will enhance efficiency by installing inverters capable of operating flawlessly in a high-temperature environment.