The Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) plans to create solar energy partnerships with global companies as part of its programme of scientific research and development (R&D), Khalid Nagi, energy research manager at QSTP, told the MEED Qatar Projects 2013 conference on 19 February.

Phase one of QSTP’s 500-kW pilot solar energy plant commenced operation in December 2012, Nagi said.

“The aim is to understand local conditions – heat, humidity and dust – and their effects on different tested technologies,” he added.

Nagi said 25 global companies had expressed interest in a solar energy partnership with QSTP.

Other R&D projects at QSTP cover carbon capture and sequestration, polysilicon and biofuel production, solar carbon black and sustainable fisheries in Doha coastal waters.