Qatar Solar Energy (QSE), the solar technology development and manufacturing facility in the MENA region, has signed a prime agreement with Kazatomprom, an energy company in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
With this agreement QSE has secured solar grade silicon, the raw material used to make solar panels, at a competitive fixed cost for the next ten years.
The agreement positions Qatar in a safe position in the global solar energy market as the demand for raw poly-silicon will grow with the need for solar energy increases in the near future.
The agreement, signed by Salim Abbassi, CEO, QSE, and Azat Betekbaev, chairman, Kazatomprom’s solar division, will contribute to accelerating QSE’s solar power purchase agreements (PPA) in Kazakhstan.
Kazatomprom implements innovative projects in the sustainable energy sector like photovoltaic modules, ingots and solar grade silicon production.
This partnership allows QSE to secure the entire value chain from raw material to smart-grid development providing a powerful foundation for increasing production capacity to 2.5GW. The supply of raw material is crucial to this mission in order to deliver a low cost energy across the world. Solar grade silicon from Kazatomprom will be used in the manufacture of products that will perform in demanding environments. By increasing efficiency QSE is accelerating the democratization of renewable energy, said Abbassi.
“QSE is achieving this by combining research, development and manufacturing together forming a fully integrated value chain. QSE will enable Qatar to export solar renewable technology products and knowledge transfer on various aspects.
The engagement will further deepen in the form of knowledge-sharing and training to drive the industry forward, the company said. In September 2014, the first delegation from Kazatomprom will visit QSE office, Qatar to initiate the knowledge-sharing program.