Qatar's power consumption is expected to increase from 16 terawatt-hour (TWh) in 2007 to 28TWh by the end of 2012. The country's annual power generating capacity is also poised for a significant 10.2 percent increase every year during this period. Propelled by a development boom, energy-hungry Qatar will witness a huge increase of 133.3 percent in electricity generation until the year 2018, which is almost top of the rankings in the Middle East/Africa (MEA) region. “This equates to 61.1 percent in the 2013-2018 period, down form 65.6 percent in 2007-12. Primary Energy Demand (PED) growth is set to increase from 23 percent in 2007-12 to 30.1 percent, representing 68 percent for the entire forecast period. The country's thermal power generation is forecast to rise by 133.3 percent between 2007 and 2018," Business Monitor International (BMI) said in its 'Qatar Power Report Q2008'. The BMI forecasts that the country will account for 1.77 percent of MEA regional power generation by 2012. BMI's MEA power generation estimate for 2007 is 1,117 TWh, representing an increase of six percent over the previous year. "We are forecasting an increase in regional generation to 1,526TWh by 2012, representing a rise of 36.6 percent between 2007 and the end of the period," the report said. Thermal power generation in 2007 is estimated by BMI at 971TWh, accounting for 86.9 percent of the total electricity supplied in the region. "Our forecast for 2012 is 1,322TWh, implying 36.2 percent growth that reduces slightly the market share of thermal generation to 86.6 percent – thanks in part to environmental concerns that should be promoting renewables, hydro-electricity and nuclear generation. Qatar's thermal generation in 2007 was 16.3TWh, or 1.68 percent of the regional total," said the report. By 2012, the country is expected to account for 2.04 percent of thermal generation. For Qatar, gas was the dominant fuel in 2007, accounting for 81.7 percent of PED, followed by oil at 18.3 percent. Regional energy demand is forecast to reach 868.8m tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) by 2012, representing 26.8 percent growth over the period since 2007. Qatar's 2007 market share of 3.3 percent is set to ease to 3.20 percent by 2012. Qatar is now ranked third in BMI's updated 'Power Business Environment' rating, thanks largely to its modest market size, low level of energy import dependency and particularly low proportion of renewables use. The power sector is competitive, with good progress towards privatisation. The regulatory environment remains relatively unattractive. While Qatar is only two points ahead of Iran, it has the potential to break away and challenge Egypt over the medium term, the report said. The Pen

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