The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday laid the foundation stone of the $3.9bn Ras Girtas Power and Water Project in Ras Laffan. The project is slated to commence its first phase of production in 2010. When completed in April 2011, with a total capacity of 2,730MW of electricity and 63 million gallons per day (MIGD) of potable water, the project will constitute 30 percent of the electricity and 20 percent of potable water delivered to the national grid. The Ras Girtas Power and Water Project is the largest power and water plant in Qatar and one of the largest in the region. The partners of the Ras Girtas Power Company, the latest and largest project to be added to Qatar’s power projects include Qatar Petroleum (15 percent), Qatar Electricity and Water Company (45 percent), GDF Suez of France (20 percent), Mitsui Corporation of Japan (10 percent), Chubu Corporation of Japan (5 percent) and Shikoku Corporation of Japan (5 percent). Mitsui Corporation of Japan was contracted as the main EPC contractor to build the project, which in turn sub-contracted Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company of Korea, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry of Japan and Sidem of France. The first stage of the project will provide 1,612MW of power, and the second stage to be completed in September 2010 will provide 63MIGD of potable water, to eventually reach a total capacity of 2,730MW of power and 63MIGD of potable water with an estimated capital cost of $4bn on completion by early 2011. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah said the Project is part of the power and water production sector privatisation that the government launched in 1999 to improve performance and quality, and to reduce cost in addition to attracting foreign investors and utilise experienced international companies in this industry. “The Project will also enhance the importance and value of the GCC grid connection project by providing additional electricity to the grid outside peak hours,” he said. He also pointed out that Qatar’s stable financial position and political environment, government support for investment, and availability of legislation and guarantees all have contributed to the confidence of local and international banks in financing local projects, such as the Ras Girtas Project. As for the environmental issues, he said in undertaking the project careful consideration was given to minimise and control emissions to meet international levels and standards. Al Attiyah added that the project will completed on target with the allocated budgets and with high level of quality and safety standards. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=May2009&file=Local_News2009050535545.xml

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