Doha, Qatar: Qatar has nearly achieved the level of water self-sufficiency it requires, while continuing to advance plans to expand production plants and increase storage hours to meet future needs.
The country also ranks among the best globally in minimising water loss, recording one of the lowest leakage rates across its water networks.
Head of the Water Control Center at the Operations and Control Department for Water Networks Affairs at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) Eng Abdulhadi Al Marri has said the country is close to reaching the level of water sufficiency required to meet national needs.
Speaking to Qatar TV recently, he emphasised, however, that development efforts will not stop at this stage, as further expansions are planned for production plants and storage capacities to meet future demand.
“We have nearly reached the water sufficiency we need, but development does not stop,” Al Marri said.
“There are upcoming projects to expand production stations and increase storage hours to ensure long-term sustainability.”
Al Marri also highlighted Qatar’s exceptional performance in reducing water loss, noting that the country records one of the lowest water loss rates globally. He explained that this achievement reflects sound strategic planning, efficient human resource deployment, and exemplary management of national resources.
“Our low water loss rates indicate proper planning and effective management. This is a result of well-trained personnel and advanced operational systems,” he added.
He further noted that the electricity and water sectors continue to witness sustained development, including the expansion of networks and production facilities. Qatar currently operates several production stations in both the northern and southern regions, many of which have an operational lifespan of 30 to 40 years.
Planning for replacement and additional facilities begins years in advance to ensure uninterrupted supply. Al Marri described the country’s water and electricity networks as highly complex systems. Qatar’s water pipeline network alone extends approximately 11,000 kilometres—equivalent to the distance from Doha to Sydney, Australia.
Much of this infrastructure is underground, making its operation and maintenance a continuous technical challenge.
“These networks function like roads. There must always be alternatives available,” he explained. “Maintenance or faults in one area do not stop services, as the system is designed with redundancy and flexibility.”
Meanwhile, Head of the National Control Center Department, Electricity Networks Affairs Sector, Kahramaa, Eng Mohammed Al-Ashqar reviewed key developments in Qatar’s electricity network over the past two years.
He reported that the country recorded a historic peak electricity load this year, reaching 10,465 megawatts, an increase of approximately 2.6 percent compared to the previous year.
This growth, he said, was accompanied by major advancements across the electricity sector.
New power generation facilities were commissioned, including the Ras Laffan power station and the Mesaieed solar power plant.
Additionally, 19 new transmission substations were established over the past two years, bringing the total number of transmission substations to more than 400.
At the distribution level, around 1,500 substations were added during the same period, raising the total number to over 20,000 nationwide.
Al Ashqar concluded that development across Qatar’s electricity and water networks remains ongoing, driven by continuous population growth, economic expansion, and the country’s commitment to reliable and sustainable infrastructure.
