Qatar Focuses on Building Energy R&D Capacity

Abstract

Qatar R&D activities Innovation and R&D have become top priorities for governments in the Middle East, mainly in the Gulf region. Qatar is striving to take the lead in this domain and has unveiled an ambitious plan to become the region’s energy R&D center now that it has completed a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) production upgrade as part of its strategy to monetize its vast gas reserves. Qatar’s plan to establish itself as a center of energy R&D is in line with its National Vision 2030, which aims to transform the nation from a hydrocarbon-based economy into a knowledge economy. “R&D and technology have been at the heart of Qatar’s energy sector for many years, allowing it to unlock and commercialize the North Field’s vast gas reserves, and grow the country into the world’s largest LNG exporter,” said Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, chief executive officer of RasGas Company and chairman of the Board of Regents at Qatar University. He spoke recently at the Gulf Intelligence Qatar Energy R&D Forum in Doha in a presentation titled, “Qatar Energy R&D Next Steps - Moving from the Theoretical to the Specific.” “Going forward, they will continue to play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of our industry, whose economic support underpins the ambitious Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said. “Qatar is blessed with a number of rooted establishments that enjoy strong financial backing to help set the direction for and facilitate these R&D and technology efforts. Our focus today should be on collaborating to effectively and efficiently address the grand challenges of energy, water, and cybersecurity.” Faisal Alsuwaidi, president of research and development at the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, said that Qatar energy officials have identified 72 objectives for a research agenda, “all of them with targets for sustainable development to improve the quality of life.”