Kahramaa has chalked out a plan to set up 100 charging points annually for electric vehicles as part of the corporation’s efforts to promote renewable energy consumption and fight against carbon emission. Engineer Abdulaziz Ahmed al-Hammadi, manager, Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department at Kahramaa, stated that the plan will be implemented in co-operation with public sector entities. “The initiative is to encourage the use of electric vehicles by establishing a supportive infrastructure that reduces harmful carbon emissions in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2018-2022.

Besides, it will help the country achieve sustainability while these efforts will help Qatar transform into a developed country that’s capable of achieving sustainable development,” he said. Explaining the need for such centres, the official said electric car prices are gradually coming down and the production of electric cars by international companies is gaining momentum. “Charging of electric cars costs less compared to buying petrol or diesel. Besides, they are cheap in terms of maintenance compared to conventional cars.”

Kahramaa has already launched a Photovoltaic Station for Energy Storage and Charging Electric Vehicles under its Tarsheed programme. Kahramaa charging points. Touted as the first of its kind in Qatar, the station functions as a charging point for vehicles with electricity produced from solar energy via 216 photovoltaic panels that are divided into two areas with a total area of 270sq m. The entire area is equal to the row for parking 24 cars. The total power produced from these panels is 72kw peak. The station contains a unit that has two connections of Combo and CHAdeMO types that are compatible with different types of vehicles. The unit allows two cars to be charged at a time with a rapid charging level of 15-20 minutes. The maximum charging capacity is 100kw. The station also contains a power storage unit with a capacity of 170kw/h. The charging cord of 100kw is enough to charge three cars. The surplus energy will be exported to the grid after charging the storage battery. As per the plan, the new charging points will be located at shopping malls, residential areas, stadiums, parks and government offices. Kahramaa has so far opened electric charging stations at Qatar Scientific Club, Kahramaa Main Building, Kahramaa Awareness Park Building, Alfardan Towers, St. Regis Hotel and Marsa Malaz Kempinski at The Pearl-Qatar.

Source : The Gulf Times

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