The local Msheireb Properties has installed the first solar panels at its QR20bn ($5.5bn) Msheireb Downtown Doha development.

The developer installed the photovoltaic (PV) modules to the roofs of buildings within phase 1a of the real estate scheme, located in the centre of Doha.

The phase 1a buildings are being fitted with 2,072 photovoltaic panels and 37 inverters, which will feed a total of 463.4kWp (kilowatts at peak power) of electricity, which will be fed directly in the grid for the development.

When completed, the Msheireb development will contain 5,200 solar panels across a total area of 8,400 square metres. The developer expects the solar PV system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 568 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to the consumption of 241,000 litres of gasoline.

In May, Msheireb awarded the contract to build phase 3 of its $20bn real estate development in central Doha to the joint venture of Japan’s Obayashi and the local HBK Contracting. The third phase of the mixed-use project will include the construction of 14 buildings covering an area of 148,800 sq m. The buildings will comprise a 192-room hotel, an office building, mosque, health centre and 10 residential buildings.

The local HBK Contracting has been awarded the contract for the raft foundation works for the third phase of the project. This is the second contract HBK has been awarded on the Msheireb development. In 2010, the local contractor in joint venture with South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company, was awarded the deal to build phase 1a of the project.

The joint venture of Canada’s Brookfield Multiplex and the local Medgulf Construction won the contract to build phase 1c in September. In December 2011, the joint venture of the UK’s Carillion and the local Qatar Building Company was awarded a QR2.37bn contract to build phase 1b.

In early December, the local/UAE Arabtec Construction has confirmed it has been awarded the QR2.3bn ($631m) contract to build phase 2 of the Msheireb project in Qatar. MEED reported in late October that Arabtec was expected to win the contract. The contract involves the construction of 10 buildings of two to 19 storeys in height, with a total built-up area of 370,000 sq m.

The 750,000-sq m Msheireb development is one of the largest real estate schemes in the capital. It will be built behind the Emiri Diwan administrative centre on Doha corniche. The scheme will also include an interchange for Doha’s proposed metro system.