Qatar’s energy sector is undeniably the country’s economic backbone. However, with global decarbonization efforts and the significance of diversifying the economy, global energy producers are constantly on the lookout for technologies and policies that would encourage the sustainable transition to renewable energies.
The Qatari government has echoed its commitment to diversifying the national economy away from hydrocarbons, facilitating the sustainable use of resources, and ensuring food security, energy, and water systems.
Driving the recent transformation in this sector has been H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy. With Al Kaabi at the helm, QatarEnergy launched a sustainability strategy recently updated. The plan outlines multiple initiatives to reduce Greenhouse Gases emissions, including flagship projects such as the further deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to capture over 11 million tonnes per annum of CO2 in Qatar by 2035. These projects will further reduce the carbon intensity of Qatar’s LNG facilities by 35 percent, and its upstream facilities by at least 25 percent compared to previous targets of 25 percent and 15 percent, respectively. I would bolster Qatar’s commitment to responsibly supply cleaner LNG at scale to support the energy transition.
Al Kaabi’s efforts have not gone unnoticed as he was yesterday announced as the Energy Executive of the Year for 2022 by Energy Intelligence. Al Kaabi becomes the 26th winner of the award and only the second Qatari after H E Abdullah Al Attiyah in 2007.
According to Energy Intelligence, “Al Kaabi is widely recognised for his foresight in embarking on a major expansion of Qatari LNG, capitalising on its low-cost, low-carbon advantages. Today, Qatar is positioned as an indispensable gas supplier for countries seeking diversification of supplies and energy security.”
Energy Intelligence is one of the leading energy information companies, and has delivered objective reporting and analysis on the sector for over 70 years.
Al Kaabi has overseen a wholesome transformation of QatarEnergy with a rebrand and strategic visions and goals to combat a sustainability-driven future.
Energy Intelligence stated that Al Kaabi has cut non-core parts of the business; streamlined a sprawling network of subsidiaries into a consolidated company; developed ambitious plans to grow upstream, downstream and renewables investments; and led a series of international investments. The award will be presented to Al-Kaabi at the annual Energy Intelligence Forum in October.
