Call to end utility fee exemption

A Europe-based green technology solution provider says that unless the Qatari government imposes utility charges on its nationals, there will be no incentive for them to switch over to renewable energy.

Entrepreneur Joo Thyus from Belgium, whose TJD Consulting provides self-supporting telecom and GSM towers as well as wind turbines and solar panels, said the new technology available now could work efficiently in the desert and withstand the wind and heat in the Gulf countries.

According to him, one Qatari, who switched over to green energy, has had to pay around QR260,000 (50,000 euros) for installing a solar power unit at his home.

“This proud man would look back after 20 years and say he had not added to Qatar’s pollution. But the question is why anybody should invest such a heavy amount if the state provided free water and electricity?” Thys asked.

The Qatari’s house took 24 solar panels capable of generating 18 kilowatts. A special ventilation system was integrated into the panels to pre-empt the desert heat.

A landmark Emiri Decree, Law No 26 of 2008, did announce “rationalisation and penalizing” the offenders misusing water and electricity in Qatar, but stopped short of charging the nationals – a long-standing demand of environment advocates and even utility provider, Kahramaa.

Chandima De Silva, the general manager of TJD Consulting’s local partner, Sierra Gulf Qatar, said they were receiving great interest in wind and solar-powered solutions by companies in Qatar.

“Our understanding is that the protection of environment has been given special priority in Qatar’s future vision,” he said.

“The solar panels that were earlier pushed by the GCC were designed for the European climate. They could only sustain temperatures up to 40C. Our solar panels can handle anything between 10C to 70C,” De Silva said.

TJD Consulting, according to its officials, has already been requested to work on the feasibility of turning conventional mobile phone towers into self-supporting ones by a telecom services provider in Qatar.

“The 2-5 kilowatts towers have a wind mill atop and a solar panel at the base frame generating enough energy to keep the towers running year-round,” Thys, a 30-year telecom industry veteran, said.

The towers can be rapidly deployed in a week’s time as opposed to the traditional 28 days. It already offers the solution to such telecom service providers in Europe as Orange and Vodafone.

“The rapid deployment site (RDS) is the modern evolution of the traditional reinforced concrete raft foundations. By eliminating the need for major excavation, reinforcing steel, curing and backfilling, construction times are reduced to just a few days,” Thys explained.

The RDS are permanent structures; however, they can also be dismantled and moved to another location, as well as used for purposes other than a cell site.

“We have already installed at least six RDS towers in Qatar with a different application yet the same concept,” he pointed out.

“The six flood-light towers for a major warehouse in Mesaieed Industrial City will be the first such initiative in Qatar when switched on this week,” he added.