The National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), run by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), has helped reduce about 289 gigawatt electricity and 32 million cubic metres of water last year.
“We reduced about 400,000 tonnes carbon footprint during the period of study to make the country green following the sustainability goal of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030,” said Head of Tarsheed Technology Section at Kahramaa Mohamad Khalid Al Sharshini.
Speaking in a Qatar TV programme, Al Sharshini said under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Tarsheed programme was launched in 2012.
He said Tarsheed took several measures to achieve the goals of QNV 2030 by developing the National Strategy 2018-22 under which projects related to preserve environment and rationalise energy consumption were launched to build a modern state based on diverse energy sources.
To a question about future Tarsheed projects, he said: “We have fast car chagrining station which is very effective in meeting QNV 2030 goals. The fast car charging stations will be provided across the country.” He said that an environmental project is being developed to produce 800 megawatt electricity from solar panels.
“We have a project to increase the efficiency of electricity use and develop Tarsheed code to support building an energy efficient house,” said Al Sharshini.
He said that Kahramaa represented by Tarsheed created a culture of rationalisation of electricity and water consumption with the help of necessary laws and regulations to influence the behaviour of consumers. “Tarsheed also provided technical support to consumers and educated them about the importance of cutting consumption of electricity and water,” said Al Sharshini.
To a question about addressing climate change, he said Qatar is committed in providing diverse energy sources. “A number of projects have been launched in this regard such as promotion of electric cars and use of clean and renewable energies.”
He said that the energy efficiency rates of home appliances and air-conditioners have been increased to cut electricity consumption.
“We have many projects; Kahramaa is committed to the protection of environment and address climate change. There are a number of agreements such as Paris Climate Accord which requires participating countries to achieve the economic and environmental sustainability goals,” said Al Sharshini.
To a question about community members’ response to the Tarsheed drive, he said Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department has a separate section to deal with people of all age groups, including students of all levels by holding awareness programmes. “This summer we held an event, ‘Summer with Tarsheed’, which received a large number of people who were introduced to Tarsheed lifestyle in reducing electricity and water consumption,” said Al Sharshini.
He said that Tarsheed is running an initiative to reduce water and electricity consumption by five percent in the residential sector through a call centre and social sties.
“The initiative received overwhelming response from people. The initiative helped in raising awareness, endorsing rationalisation techniques and promoting responsible consumer behaviour with detailed follow-up techniques being implemented to provide customers with support and guarantee long-term results,” said Al Sharshini.
