DOHA: Qatar has one of the highest per capita electricity and water consumptions in the world and to reduce the average, the country has completed technical studies that would help it frame new standards and specifications for air-conditioners and lighting systems to ensure they are energy-efficient.
New guidelines on what kind of air-conditioners and lighting systems will be required in the country to prevent waste and save energy are being prepared and expected to be ready for implementation soon.
They will also cover water consumption and prescribe upgraded standards and specifications for taps and distribution systems within homes, offices and other commercial establishments, government ministries, industries, schools, mosques and other places.
Utility distributor Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramma) is developing the guidelines and they will be implemented as soon as they are ready, hopefully within this year, it is learnt.
Ministries and offices are likely to be covered in the initial phase of the implementation of the guidelines.
Kahramaa then plans to rope in the private sector in its energy and water-saving campaign.
The plan is to reduce per capita electricity and water consumption by 20 percent and 35 percent, respectively, over a five-year period.
Kahramaa is also conducting studies to encourage the use of solar water heating systems in homes, industries and commercial establishments, among other places.
The energy-saving drive has already been introduced to industries that are major consumers, accounting for a 35 percent share in total consumption, and per capita consumption of both the precious utilities is already down two percent.
The corporation plans to soon invite tenders for installing energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting as well as water dispensing systems in schools and mosques all over the country.
The idea is to reduce water and electricity consumption by four and 37 percent, respectively, in these places where the utilities are supplied by the corporation free.
It has said it will be training its staff to monitor effective implementation of its energy-efficiency drive and arm them with judicial powers to act against violators.
