QatarEnergy has entered into a partnership agreement with TotalEnergies to embark on a solar power initiative that is part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Iraq. According to the terms of this agreement, pending regulatory approvals, QatarEnergy will hold a 50 percent stake in the solar photovoltaic project, while TotalEnergies will maintain the other 50 percent.
Project details
This project, poised to be among the largest globally, will feature 2 million high-efficiency bifacial solar panels installed on single-axis trackers. Once completed, it is expected to generate up to 1.25 gigawatts (peak) of solar power for the electricity grid in Iraq’s Basra region. The development will occur in phases, with operations set to commence between 2025 and 2027, providing electricity to approximately 350,000 homes in the area, QNA reported.
In comments regarding the project, H.E. Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy’s President and CEO, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, highlighting the project’s importance for Iraq’s energy landscape and the collaboration with TotalEnergies.
QatarEnergy signs agreement with TotalEnergies to partner in a 1.25 GW solar project in Iraq#QatarEnergy #YourEnergyTransitionPartner #Qatar pic.twitter.com/GHWgqjcWV2
— QatarEnergy (@qatarenergy) October 28, 2024
Consortium involvement in Gas Growth Integrated Project
In June 2023, QatarEnergy announced its entry into a consortium for the Gas Growth Integrated Project in Iraq, holding a 25 percent interest alongside TotalEnergies (45 percent) and Iraq’s Basra Oil Company (30 percent). GGIP is a crucial strategic endeavor focused on designing and constructing facilities to develop Iraq’s natural resources and recover substantial volumes of flared gas in the Basra region for power generation.
Long-term agreement with Shell
Earlier this month, QatarEnergy disclosed a long-term naphtha supply agreement with Shell International Eastern Trading Company, headquartered in Singapore. This 20-year contract outlines the delivery of up to 18 million tons of naphtha to Shell, beginning in April 2025. QatarEnergy and Shell have established a strong strategic partnership, characterized by multiple joint investments in the energy sector, both in Qatar and internationally.
Read more: QatarEnergy to build 6 new QC-Max LNG vessels at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard
Expansion of LNG fleet
In September 2024, QatarEnergy finalized a contract with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of six additional advanced QC-Max vessels. This agreement brings the total number of LNG vessels ordered under its fleet expansion initiative to 128, which includes 24 QC-Max mega vessels. The QC-Max vessels, to be built at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard—wholly owned by CSSC—are the largest LNG carriers ever constructed, each with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters. The new vessels are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2031.
Moreover, this latest order of six advanced vessels underscores QatarEnergy’s commitment to quality and reliability. It follows the recent order of 18 QC-Max vessels from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, bringing the total number of QC-Max vessels ordered by QatarEnergy to 24, with an estimated overall value of around $8 billion.
New urea production complex
Last month, QatarEnergy announced plans to build a new large-scale urea production complex that will significantly increase the country’s urea (fertilizer) output, contributing to global food production and security. This ambitious project will further involve the establishment of three ammonia production lines that will supply feedstock for four new urea production trains, all situated in Mesaieed Industrial City.
LNG supply agreement with Kuwait
In August 2024, QatarEnergy signed a 15-year Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) for the supply of up to 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to Kuwait. Additionally, under the SPA’s terms, the contracted LNG volumes will be delivered ex-ship to Kuwait’s Al-Zour LNG Terminal aboard QatarEnergy’s conventional, Q-Flex, and Q-Max LNG vessels, starting in January 2025. Also, this agreement marks the second long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement between QatarEnergy and KPC, seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral trade relations between Qatar and Kuwait.
For more news on energy, click here.
