Doha: QatarEnergy has signed a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with South Korea’s Samsung C&T to develop the 2GW Dukhan solar power project, set to be one of the largest renewable energy facilities in the country.
Located about 80 kilometers west of Doha, the Dukhan plant will be rolled out in two phases, with the first 1GW scheduled to come online by the end of 2028. Full capacity of 2GW is expected by mid-2029, effectively doubling Qatar’s current operational solar power output.
A Milestone for Qatar’s Green Strategy
The deal was signed in the presence of Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy. Al-Kaabi described the agreement as a “significant step” toward achieving the renewable energy goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.
“One of the main pillars of our sustainability strategy is to secure more than 4GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030,” Al-Kaabi said, adding that projects like Dukhan are vital to reducing emissions while meeting the country’s growing electricity demand.
Phase-by-Phase Development
Announced in 2024, the Dukhan “mega project” will be developed with advanced solar tracker systems designed to improve efficiency in desert conditions. The use of inverters capable of operating in high temperatures is expected to enhance output stability.
The first phase, generating 1GW, will supply power to Kahramaa, Qatar’s general electricity and water corporation, by late 2028. The second phase will add another 1GW by mid-2029, lifting the total generation capacity to 2GW.
Expanding Solar Portfolio
The Dukhan deal comes as Qatar ramps up its renewable portfolio. Earlier this year, the country inaugurated two major solar projects with a combined capacity of 875MW, more than doubling its installed solar capacity in a single step.
The projects—Mesaieed (417MW) and Ras Laffan (458MW)—feature high-efficiency bifacial modules mounted on single-axis trackers, along with robotic cleaning systems to minimize dust-related energy losses. Both facilities now play a key role in supplying electricity to Qatar’s industrial hubs.
The country has also made strides with the Al Kharsaah solar power plant, an 800MW facility located near Doha. Commissioned in October 2022, the project was developed by a consortium of TotalEnergies, Marubeni, and Siraj Energy, a QatarEnergy subsidiary. Built over a 1,000-hectare site, the plant houses around two million bifacial panels on single-axis trackers.
Al Kharsaah currently provides up to 10 percent of Qatar’s peak electricity demand under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kahramaa, making it one of the most significant renewable energy projects in the Gulf region.
Samsung C&T’s Growing Role in Qatar
Samsung C&T has been steadily strengthening its role in Qatar’s renewable sector. The Korean engineering and construction company was previously selected in 2022 as the EPC contractor for two QatarEnergy solar PV projects. Its ongoing collaboration with Qatar reflects Doha’s strategy of partnering with global technology leaders to accelerate its clean energy transition.
The Dukhan project further cements Samsung’s position as a key partner in the Gulf’s renewable push, while also expanding Korea’s footprint in the region’s growing solar market.
Looking Toward 2030
Qatar’s solar investments come against the backdrop of rising energy demand in the Gulf, coupled with international pressure to diversify energy sources and cut carbon emissions. By 2030, Qatar aims to have more than 4GW of renewable capacity installed, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy within the Middle East.
Al-Kaabi stressed that these initiatives align with global climate commitments while also strengthening energy security. “The Dukhan project is not just about capacity—it is about innovation, efficiency, and delivering cleaner power for the people of Qatar,” he said.
As the Dukhan plant moves forward, Qatar is expected to continue expanding its renewable partnerships, with more large-scale projects likely to be announced in the years leading up to 2030.
