Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) to distribute solar power in the future.

QSTec is a joint venture between the state-run Qatar Solar, Germany’s SolarWorld and Qatar Development Bank QSTec’s first project will be a polysilicon plant at Ras Laffan that will produce the key ingredient for photovoltaic solar power projects.

The $1bn manufacturing plant will produce 8,000 tons per year of polysilicon, but it is designed to expand as demand grows. Eventually, more than 45,000 tonnes a year (t/y) of polysilicon will be produced.  

QSTec previously signed an agreement with Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWC) to jointly study potential solar power projects in Qatar and beyond (MEED 21:5:12).