From the data for the year 2023, it's clear that Qatar's electricity consumption relies entirely on fossil fuels, particularly gas. There is no recorded contribution of any low-carbon sources to the country's electricity composition. Unfortunately, this indicates a substantial reliance on fossil energy, undercutting any efforts towards developing a sustainable and clean energy mix. Regrettably, Qatar, with such a heavy dependence on gas, significantly lags behind many other countries in adopting a green electricity paradigm.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Qatar can take its cues from successful countries. For example, France and Slovakia both source over 60% of their electricity from nuclear power, demonstrating the potential scale of this energy source. Denmark and Uruguay also prove that wind energy can make substantial contributions to a national grid, exceeding 40% in both cases. Given that Qatar shares a hot and arid desert climate with many of the countries that have successfully implemented wind and solar energy, it seems plausible that Qatar could implement similar strategies. For instance, Spain and Greece generate considerable proportions of their electricity from wind and solar energy, a model that could feasibly be replicated in Qatar, considering their similar climatic conditions.
The history of low-carbon electricity in Qatar paints a rather bleak picture, though. In the period from 2011 to 2020, the only significant change in low-carbon electricity generation was a slight 0.1 TWh increase in biofuels generation in 2013. Apart from that, solar electricity generation has consistently remained at zero, and no other form of low-carbon electricity generation appears to have been adopted. This information highlights a stagnant low-carbon energy sector, wherein the country's solar potential, in particular, appears to be largely untapped. It is a stark contrast to the nation's heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity, and it underscores the urgent need for commitment, investment, and policy revisions to promote low-carbon energy sources.