DOHA: The state has spent an enormous QR7bn on upgrading and expanding electricity and water networks in the country until the third quarter (September 30) of this year.

The demand for the precious utilities has been growing at a fast pace but the authorities concerned have given the assurance that they are quite capable of meeting the rising demand.

The demand for electricity was up 14 percent this year over 2008 while that of water rose eight percent. This prompted the authorities to expand the capacity of the Mesaeeid plant by 1,000 mega watts (MW).

This was announced by H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of State for Energy and Industry, at Kahramaa’s annual planning forum yesterday.

Kahramaa (Qatar Electricity and Water Corporation) is the utility distributor. Al Sada was addressing the forum on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry who is the chairman of Kahramaa’s board.

The high growth in demand for water and power was due to the economic boom and proper planning, Al Sada said. He assured that the state was well-placed to meet the future growth in demand.

“This (growing demand) is one of the biggest challenges we face but we are confident of meeting this challenge successfully,” said the Minister of State.

The other major challenge, and a bigger one at that, is to tackle gas emissions from power and water desalination plants. At least 25 percent of such emissions are from water and gas plants, said Al Sada adding that with joint efforts they will be able to tackle the problem effectively over the next five years.