By Sachin Kumar
DOHA: Qatar Solar Technologies’ (QSTec) polysilicon production facility, the largest polysilicon plant in Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is in the final stages of construction and the first large polysilicon plant is set to roll out later this year. Polysilicon is a key ingredient used in over 90 percent of the world’s solar modules.
“We are gearing up to move the plant from construction stage into the production phase. This phase of the project is a very proud moment for all involved as we witness this enormously complex manufacturing facility come to life and see QSTec’s polysilicon transformed by our partners into solar modules and technologies for use throughout the world,” said Dr Khalid K Al Hajri, Chairman and CEO of QSTec in a statement yesterday. Located in the north of Qatar in Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), QSTec’s facility will run two polysilicon trains with a capacity to produce 8,000 metric tonnes per year of high grade polysilicon.
He said that safety is a top priority on the site with 93 percent of the facility construction completed and over 31 million man-hours of construction without a single lost time incident. Over 3,000km of electrical cable is installed at QSTec in addition to a network of pipes that is over 200km long.
Construction utilised 15,000 tonnes of steel and 100,000 cubic metres of concrete. The company has 1.2 million square metres of land in RLIC which will allow for future expansion along the solar value chain to ultimately produce high quality solar modules and technologies in Qatar.
QSTec has steadily been expanding its presence within the global solar industry. It’s strategic investments in the world renowned German solar companies by acquiring 29 percent shares and being the largest single shareholder in Solar World and acquiring 50 percent shares equity in Centrotherm, enable the company to provide solar technology solutions to its customers. QSTec’s capital investment in its polysilicon plant, SolarWorld and Centrotherm stakes are valued at over $1.3bn.
“QSTec has a vision to become a world leader in integrated solar solutions, from research and manufacturing to supply-chain and investments, and is prepared to harness the full potential of solar for the benefit and prosperity of all,” asserted Dr Al Hajri.
“QSTec will continue with its expansion strategy locally and internationally by increasing its solar industry development within the technology and manufacturing sectors and we value cooperative participation with others for its achievement,” he said in a press conference held last week.
SolarWorld is Europe’s and the USA’s largest manufacturer of high quality solar modules and exports its products across the world. Centrotherm is the world’s leading supplier of manufacturing equipment and technology for the solar and semiconductor industries.
“In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 we are producing solar technologies and solutions locally and exporting products and knowledge globally. QSTec and its partners are bringing additional research opportunities across the value chain of the industry to Qatar and we are committed to using research as our guiding force,” said Al Hajri. “The strong solar Research & Development base that has been developed in Qatar by Qatar Foundation, QEERI (Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute), QSTP (Qatar Science & Technology Park) and others already offer a great many opportunities for QSTec,” he added.
The Ras Laffan facility is home to QSTec’s largest solar installation project, already installed which generates 1.1 megawatts of solar energy. The solar farm provides energy to QSTec’s administration buildings and is just one of many sustainable technology solutions utilised in this state of the art plant.
The Peninsula
