Tarsheed program saves QR4bn: Al Kaabi

HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi speaks during the occasion of the 10th anniversary since the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency has been launched

HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi revealed that the efforts of the second phase of the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) in Qatar resulted in saving a value of more than QR 4 billion by the end of last year, in addition to realising savings with roughly 14,000 GWh of electricity and than 100 million CBM of water, an estimated 138,000 million cubic feet of gas, including emissions reductions of approximately 8,500 million kilograms of carbon dioxide. In a speech delivered Sunday on the occasion of the 10th anniversary since the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency has been launched, HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs indicated that the efforts will be strengthened during the third phase of the program, which began in April 2022 and will continue until 2030. The enhancement of efforts aim to implement more goals and prioritize a range of issues, including the operation in the field of Qatar's electric vehicle strategy and the construction of 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2025, in addition to strengthening the efficiency of energy utilization and working on initiatives pertaining to sustainability, as well as addressing the issue of climate change and reducing carbon emissions, he added. He also noted that the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency has been operating during the first half of the last decade in accordance with a program that targets the achievement of sustainability goals in energy efficiency, as well as the expansion of utilizing renewable energy in the State of Qatar in line with Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, Qatar National Development Strategy 2018-2022, Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy (QNE) 2021-2025, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs highlighted the accomplishments of the program's second phase that extended between 2018-2022, noting that it was characterized by increasing the efficiency of electricity and water utilization, optimizing and diversifying energy resources, and working on the development of rationalized communities and smart cities, in addition to combatting climate change. Thanks to the tireless efforts of all those in charge of the program as well as those working on it, the level of efficiency of devices and equipment in the Qatari market has been raised, he said, pointing out the work that has been done to reduce harmful carbon emissions, combat climate change, optimize the efficiency of electricity and water utilization and encourage the utilization of new energy-saving technologies, in addition to applying the conservation law and regulations to reduce consumption and raise the efficiency of electricity and water use, as well as spreading awareness among the community in regard to the field of conservation and energy efficiency.