Qatar sets out plans for major power network investment

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) is set to install 99 additional substations across the country to meet the increasing demand for water and electricity from the fast-growing population. Of these, 14 substations will be exclusively meant for bulk customers, such as industrial units.
Kahramaa's decision to install a large number of substations follows the launch of 78 substations over the past few years. The commissioning of the new substations is expected during the period 2012-13.

Kahramaa's Phase IX transmission expansion forms a part of its five-year expansion project. Phase IX will cover the modification and upgrading of existing networks to accommodate the new substations and the associated cable works. It will accommodate forecast load growth, support network voltage level, and enhance network security.
Under this expansion project, Kahramaa will also set up 22 primary substations and upgrade eight existing substations.

Kahramaa is also working on a water project to create a seven-day strategic water storage capacity to meet a possible emergency in water supply. The project will consist of a number of reservoirs with a total capacity of 19.2 mm gallons. Transmission pipelines will approximately be 183 km long.
Kahramaa's future water transmission and distribution projects include major projects to connect Ras Abo Fontas and Ras Abo Fontas A (RAF A) to the Kahramaa network. They also include network expansion and replacement to ensure smooth distribution of water across the country and to reduce water loss, said Saad Al Mohannadi, Technical Affairs Director of Kahramaa.

Market analysts have forecast that Qatar's electricity generation is poised for a quantum leap during the next few years.
Business Monitor International (BMI) expects that Qatar's power generation will increase by a demanding 193.5 % before the year 2018, putting it in the top of the range for the Middle East/Africa region.