Qatar
With a cumulative score of 1.37, Qatar ranks number 66 among emerging markets and number 95 in the global ranking.
- Emerging markets
- Middle East & Africa
1.48 / 5
Power score
1.11 / 5
Transport score
Buildings score
Only 56 markets (28 emerging markets) are scored on the Buildings sector. See the full list on the methodology page.
Low-carbon strategy
Net-zero goal and strategy
Gas-rich Qatar has yet to announce a national net zero goal or strategy. It is currently dependent on natural gas for 97% of its power generation.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
The 2021 update on Qatar's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – a non-binding plan to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement – which is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, has no specific targets for clean energy. The country envisions improvements in energy efficiency and more investment in clean energy and renewables. Qatar aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2030 relative to 2019.
Fossil fuel phase-out policy
There is no fossil fuel phase-out policy in Qatar.
Power
Power policy
The Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to generate 20% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. It is betting on solar PV projects to meet that goal, with 800MW capacity coming up to support power supply for the 2022 FIFA World Cap, and an early ambition to deploy 10GW by 2030. The target is very ambitious, given that it is equal to the country’s 2019 installed capacity from all sources.
Power policies
Power prices and costs
Like other countries in the region, electricity prices in Qatar are heavily subsidized, not only for residential sector, but also for commercial and industrial sectors. The levelized cost of electricity remains low, because natural gas is abundant. Tariff was increased for expatriates only in 2015. With an absolute monarch dependent on citizen support, Qatar appears inclined to continue to give citizens unlimited free utility services.
Power market
In Qatar, all electricity must be purchased from the national utility and grid extension plans are issued publicly through open tenders.
Saving gas from being burned for power can be exported as LNG, and has more value. Only power generation is liberalized in Qatar, and only Strategic National Investors can participate. There are eight power plants in Qatar owned by six different companies.
Transmission and distribution are completely controlled by the national utility Kahramaa, which does not own generation assets.
Installed Capacity (in MW)
Electricity Generation (in GWh)
Utility privatisation
Which segments of the power sector are open to private participation?
Wholesale power market
Does the country have a wholesale power market?
Doing business and barriers
Qatar is open to foreign investment and presents no offtaker risk as the wealthy Qatari government guarantees projects. Transmission constraints are non-existent, which limit curtailment risk. Indexation of the riyal and the dollar removes currency risk. Finding a suitable plot of land could however present a major challenge for renewable projects. Other barriers are relatively minor, such as imported equipment being taxed and project developers being required to build the electric infrastructure to connect projects to the grid. For utility scale projects, there is a grid code that specifies technical requirements. However, regulation is still being developed for connecting smaller scale projects to the grid.
All of the water is desalinated by plants that are powered by waste heat from natural gas power stations. The role of renewables in this dynamic will need to be carefully thought out. Additionally, finding appropriate locations for large renewable projects is a huge hurdle.
Currency of PPAs
Are PPAs (eg. corporate PPAs and all other types) signed in or indexed to U.S. Dollars or Euro?
Bilateral power contracts
Can a C&I (Commercial and Industrial) customer sign a long-term contract (PPA) for clean energy?
Fossil fuel price distortions - Subsidies
Does the government influence the wholesale price of fossil fuel (used by thermal power plants) down through subsidies?
Fossil fuel price distortions - Taxes
Does the government influence the wholesale price of fossil fuel (used by thermal power plants) up through taxes or carbon prices?
Transport
EV market
The passenger EV market has yet to materialize in Qatar. Electricity and water supplier Kahramaa is to build up to 500 charging points for electric cars by next year. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce compels vehicle agents and dealers across Qatar to clearly display fuel efficiency labels on models from 2017 onwards.
EV policy
Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) and the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) have launched the Green Car Initiative (GCI) as part of the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency. Under this initiative, Qatar aims for 3-5% of its fleet to be green or electric by 2022, and 10% by 2030. Public transport in Qatar is to go all-electric by 2030. The rollover will include public bus routes, state school buses and local Metro transport system buses in the capital Doha.
Currently there are available tax credits allowed, capped at 200,000 units per company.
Transport policies
Fuel economy standards
Does the country have a fuel economy standard in place?
Buildings
Buildings market
The government has yet to implement any substantive policy support in this sector and the low-carbon heat market remains at an early stage.
Energy efficiency policy
Does the country have a national energy efficiency plan?
Energy efficiency policy
Are there minimum energy performance standards for buildings?
Energy efficiency incentives
Is there access to loans or grants for energy efficiency measures (i.e. Wall or loft insulation or double glazing)?
Buildings policy
There are no specific laws.
Buildings policies
Additional insights
from BNEF
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