Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Energy Affairs, HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi has issued a decision setting out a comprehensive set of preventive measures to protect Qatar’s public electricity and water facilities from potential damage caused by construction, excavation, demolition, landscaping and other works carried out near utility networks.
According to decision No. (10) of 2026, published in the Official Gazette released in September 2026 under the Ministry of Justice, was issued pursuant to Law No. (13) of 2024 concerning the protection of public electricity and water facilities, as well as the legal framework governing the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA).
The measures apply to authorised persons carrying out construction, excavation, extension, demolition, building expansion and related activities in areas containing public electricity and water facilities or locations adjacent to them.
Under the decision, persons undertaking such works must comply with the conditions of permits issued by the competent authorities and take all required precautions to safeguard electricity and water infrastructure.
The Gazette states Article 3 of the law stipulates that bridges crossing utility networks, including ramps, flyovers and overpasses, must maintain a minimum height of five metres to allow KAHRAMAA to use heavy equipment, including mobile cranes and backhoes.
Under Article 4 of the Decision No. 10, construction and excavation activities are subject to strict controls, including restrictions on permanent or temporary structures within utility service corridors. The use of mechanical equipment within 1.5 metres of utility network boundaries is prohibited unless specifically authorised in accordance with the requirements set out in the decision.
The decision also introduces safeguards for excavation works near utility networks. Excavations within 1.5 metres of networks and deeper than two metres must be secured against soil collapse. An experienced and appropriately approved engineer must also be permanently present at the worksite to supervise the works and ensure that the required preventive measures are maintained.
Additional requirements under Article 5 apply to landscaping, including restrictions on planting large trees and shrubs within electricity and water service corridors. Grass, green areas and small shrubs are permitted subject to specified limits on height and root depth, while root barriers must be installed at specified distances from water networks.
The regulations also address the handling of construction and excavation waste, requiring it to be kept at least 1.5 metres from electricity and water networks. Mechanical equipment weighing more than five tonnes may not be used to remove waste within 1.5 metres of utility service corridors unless approved by KAHRAMAA.
Contractors and other concerned parties must also use suitable licensed equipment, accurately identify concealed electricity and water facilities, and carry out manual exploratory excavations where necessary before work begins, according to Article 8 of the decision.
Article 9 and 10 of the decision further requires authorised parties to restore affected sites to their previous condition after permitted works are completed as KAHRAMAA will monitor implementation of the preventive measures, while the relevant authorities will supervise the authorised works.
