DOHA: In a welcome development, Qatar’s drive to rationalise the consumption of electricity which, along with water, is free for citizens, has finally started showing results.
Power consumption in the country was down 10.5 percent per capita in the first six months of this year as compared to the same period of 2012, utility distributor Kahramaa said yesterday in a statement.
The decrease in per capita consumption was even more impressive, at 16 percent, between the first quarter of this year and the second.
Kahramaa was, however, silent on the issue of water consumption as rationalizing its use is also part of its awareness drive titled ‘Tarsheed’ (guidance).
The corporation aims, through the rationalization drive, to reduce power consumption by 20 percent over the next five years and that of water, 35 percent.
The drop in per capita electricity consumption this year has been despite the fact that demand for electricity has risen in the period.
From 284,306 electricity consumers in the first three months of this year, the number rose by more than 1,350 to 285,659 in the second quarter, that is, between April and June 2013.
According to observers, what might be contributing to the reduction in the consumption of electricity is the fact that the green building concept is becoming quite popular now.
Also, the authorities are encouraging the use of energy-efficient electrical appliances like fluorescent bulbs and tubes and air-conditioners and washing machines.
Kahramaa, in its statement, however, said that the demand for water and electricity had, however, gone up considerably during the second quarter of this year.
The peak load had soared as much as 34 percent to 5,605 mega watts in the second quarter compared to 3,685 MW in the previous quarter of January to March (But that is the time when the weather is pleasant and use of air-conditioners is quite low).
But the corporation said that despite high load and a heavier increase in it, it succeeded in maintaining a higher surplus.
The corporation said water demand had risen in the second quarter and added that the distribution is perfect as leakages are nil. According to the corporation, its call centres are working perfectly and efficiently respond to consumer complaints.
Some 96 percent complaints are attended to with immediate effect and standby teams are rushed to the spot to restore services. The average time taken is a few hours.
The Peninsula
