More than 1,100 electric buses are set to transport spectators during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, authorities announced, as part of Qatar’s continued efforts to organise a carbon-neutral mega sporting event.
“The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in coordination with Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications is working to build four parking lots for electric busses to ferry spectators during matches of FIFA World Cup 2022,” said Director of Tarsheed and Energy Efficiency at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Hammadi.
Speaking at a virtual Kahramaa event, Al Hammadi confirmed that the number of electric vehicles exceeds 1,100 buses. Some 700 electric charging stations will be built to provide eco-friendly transportation facility for spectators during the matches.
“After FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, these electric buses will be used as public transport in the country. This is following the directive of high command that all means of transportation for fans will be electric during FIFA World Cup 2022,” he said.
Qatar is aiming to provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation facilities during the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) said.
“Along with hosting the first World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world, Qatar will stage the most compact edition of the tournament in modern history. Sixty-four matches over 28 days will take place in close proximity, with the maximum travel distance between stadiums just 75km. One of the major environmental benefits of Qatar 2022 is the elimination of domestic flights during the tournament,” the SC said in a press release on Thursday.
In addition, using Qatar’s eco-friendly transportation facilities, such as the Doha Metro, light rail trams and fuel-efficient buses, will help achieve the state’s goal in reducing overall carbon emissions, said Thani Al Zarraa, the SC’s Mobility Director.
“And due to Qatar 2022 being a compact tournament, fans arriving in 2022 will only have one return plane journey, which will significantly reduce overall carbon emissions [compared to previous tournaments].”
“About 20% of the buses are electric, with the remainder diesel fuelled with a Euro 5 emissions standard, which emits much less pollution than regular vehicles. Qatar is also planning to introduce an innovative, modern and environmentally-friendly electric bus rapid transit (BRT) system. Designed to provide increased passenger capacity compared to traditional transit style buses, BRT is a rail-less system that is essentially a crossover between buses and trams,” SC noted.
Additionally, the Lusail Bus Depot is set to become one of the biggest in the world, where electricity for bus charging will be generated by solar panels.
“The electric buses charged by solar energy will not emit any other emissions. After Qatar 2022, this fleet will replace the old buses, ensuring a legacy of modern and green buses.”
Electric charging ports
Some 20 car charging stations have already been built and have been available for drivers in Qatar since 2019 to encourage residents of the country to invest in electric cars.
Al Hammadi said that these stations are found a Kahramaa building in Abu Hamour, Qatar Foundation and at some hotels.
“The strategy for electric vehicles and charging stations will be announced in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021,” he stated, adding that this strategy will tackle all issues related to car charging stations specifications, number, system, as well as the module for following and cooperating in partnerships between the government and private sectors.
“The strategy is under study and will be announced after completion. The most important clause of the strategy is to specify places for car charging stations – parking lots of shopping complexes, public parking or government buildings. This is one of the major issues which will be announced later,” said Al Hammadi.
The official also said the technical specifications for electric car charging stations, its system and modules will be implemented across public and private sectors. “It will explain the requirements from both sectors and regulate for a smooth operation,” said Al Hammadi.
Kahramaa is planning to set up 200 to 500 charging points for electric cars across the country by 2022.
They will be located in strategic locations, including shopping malls, residential areas, stadiums, parks and government offices, according to the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed).
It also added that Kahramaa is seeking to produce 700MW from solar panels by 2022.
In 2019, Kahramaa launched Tarsheed Photovoltaic Station for Energy Storage and Charging Electric Vehicles. The station functions as a charging point for vehicles with electricity produced from solar energy via 216 photovoltaic panels that are divided into two areas with a total area of 270 sq m.
“The station contains a unit that has two connections of Combo and CHAdeMO types that are compatible with different types of vehicles. The unit allows two cars to be charged at a time with a rapid charging level of 15 – 20 minutes. The maximum charging capacity is 100 kw,” explained in reports.
Source: Doha News
CHEP, the supply chain solutions company, has announced a two-year contract renewal plus increased business with Nestlé Middle East & North Africa (MENA) to replace traditional white exchange pallets with a CHEP managed pallet pooling solution throughout the region. The switch from white wood to CHEP pooled pallets is expected to streamline Nestlé’s supply chain, while reducing cost and driving sustainability benefits mainly reducing de-forestation and less CO2 emissions.
Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company. With its regional head office located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nestlé operates 25 factories in 19 countries across MENA. The Nestlé product portfolio in the region currently exceeds 60 brands in a wide range of categories: dairy and infant nutrition, bottled water, chocolate and confectionery, coffee creamers, breakfast cereals, culinary products and pet food, among others.
Stefano Crotti, Nestlé Head of Logistics MENA, said: “For Nestlé, the Middle East and North Africa means growth with sustainable operations, talent and innovation. Improvements in service to customers, quality and cost have been important drivers to switch from white pallet exchange to CHEP, as well as the strategic fit of CHEP being our recognised partner across our supply chain. Furthermore, the sustainability advantage that is built into the CHEP’s ‘share and reuse’ business model is important to contribute to a circular economy and in meeting Nestlé’s commitment for Zero net emissions by 2050”.
Marco Salort, CHEP MENA Commercial Director, said:. “Nestlé is a key strategic global customer for CHEP. We share a vision of the future based on sustainability and responsibility towards our environment”.
“We at CHEP understand that our customers are an extension of our activity and consider them to be part of our company. We have collaborated very openly to successfully develop a long-term model built around service excellence, cost efficiencies, process standardisation and sustainability. The MENA agreement provides a clear framework under which we can continue to partner together to build ongoing efficiencies and value’’.
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) launched the first pilot project to store electrical energy using batteries in the State of Qatar, in cooperation with Al Attiyah Group and Tesla Incorporation, where the batteries were connected to a substation related to the local Nuaija station on a voltage of 11 kV, which is controlled by the control center of the electrical distribution network.
This project, the first of its kind in the State of Qatar to store energy using batteries, aims to secure production capacity at peak times, in order to raise energy efficiency and enhance sustainability. Energy storage units with a capacity of 1 MW / 4 MWh have been installed in the Nuaija station with the aim of storing energy outside peak times and using it at the maximum load of the station and it can also be used to improve the network voltage.
The implementation of the project took nearly a year, as Kahramaa succeeded in completing the project ahead of schedule and operating the project to benefit from it during the summer period, which is one of the highest periods of energy consumption in the State of Qatar compared to the rest of the year.
This project was implemented with high specifications, as Al Attiyah Group built and prepared the civil work and installed the equipment in the station in coordination with Kahramaa, while Tesla Inc. provided the energy storage system (batteries), and the total cost of the project reached about QR 10 million.
Kahramaa is proud that its young Qatari cadres have managed the project in all its stages, starting with designing and planning to implementation and operation. The work team has succeeded in overcoming many challenges it faced during the implementation, the most important of which is the operation and training of its cadres during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The use of energy storage systems in electricity grids (batteries) is one of the global systems to raise energy efficiency and enhance sustainability, as the importance of the success of this pilot project lies in opening the horizons for engaging in larger projects in the future by connecting them to some high-load stations in the network, and integrating them with the strategic projects of Kahramaa related to renewable energy projects, such as Al Kharsaah Solar Power Project.
Talabat, stays true to its promise for a greener environment by using recycled materials as delivery boxes. This green packaging initiative will be available for all grocery orders made through the app from stores such as Carrefour, Spar, and Monoprix.
Talabat sets another first in the delivery industry in Qatar by using recycled boxes made by Elite Paper Recycling (EPR), the only Qatar-based manufacturer of recycled products. After working together for the Eco-Dome Project, Talabat responds to EPR’s call for a more sustainable environment through the green box implementation.
Talabat is following the necessary safety measures, including the use of cardboard boxes as recommended by WHO. Based on research, it was shown that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and less than 24 hrs on cardboard.
Francisco Miguel de Sousa, Talabat Qatar’s Managing Director, said:
‘Talabat is proud to be using Qatari products by Elite Paper Recycling. This recycled box initiative is just the beginning of Talabat's green building transformation. We all have a role to play in shaping a sustainable future, and this is just one of our many initiatives to come and be in line with the Qatar Sustainability and the Qatar National Vision 2030.’
‘We are very pleased with our cooperation with Talabat, the leading online platform industry. Talabat will be the first company to deliver customers’ orders using recycled cardboard as this cooperation will move to other stages in the future.’ – stated, Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of Elite Paper Recycling.
“This campaign was launched amidst the COVID 19 crisis outbreak and is the first of its kind in Qatar and we are very proud to say that it’s 100 % Made in Qatar & 100 % Recyclable and Eco Friendly. It is a true showcase that even during crisis times it is possible to evolve as a business, adding value and showing solidarity to our community as well as raising awareness on important issues like recycling, going green and “Stay home-Save Lives”. On the other hand, this collaboration fully supports local SMEs, encourages CSR Strategies and of course, helps to develop the circular economy in Qatar” – Stated Miss. Catina Aghayan EPR Communications Strategy Advisor.
Talabat is participating in many ways to save the environment. A ‘No Cutlery’ option is also available in the app to opt from using plastic utensils.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be the first of its kind – a pioneering solution in stadium design and a blueprint for future sports events – but its sustainable legacy began long before construction even started. The stadium is being made primarily from shipping containers and is set to host matches up to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. After the tournament, the 40,000-capacity stadium will be completely dismantled, with its parts transformed into sporting facilities in Qatar and overseas.
And while the stadium’s sustainable legacy is guaranteed, what most people don’t know is what measures were taken to ensure its location – close to Doha Port and overlooking the spectacular West Bay skyline – became suitable to house the construction. The land where Ras Abou Aboud is being built had to be decontaminated after years of industrial use, meaning a legacy for the site has been delivered before the project has even been completed.
Significant work has been carried out by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to remove the existing buildings, laboratories, workshops and fuel tanks. Some of the old buildings were kept – partly for their cultural and architectural value, but also to ensure new facilities didn’t need to be created from scratch.
The SC’s Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager, Eng. Bodour Al Meer, said: “Due to the nature of construction at the time the buildings were constructed, many had asbestos within their structures. Asbestos removal specialists were employed, taking exceptional care during the demolition and site preparation phases. Over 65 tonnes of asbestos containing material was removed from the site and safely disposed.
“Soil and groundwater contamination were also present in some locations. Water was run through a specific waste treatment process before it was used for dust suppression on-site or discharged into the sea, to adhere to Qatar’s strict environmental requirements.”
More than 80 per cent of the materials from the demolished buildings were reused or recycled, including metals, electronics, wood and office/packaging waste. Almost 70,000 tonnes of concrete and asphalt were crushed, tested and stockpiled to use during the construction of the stadium.
The land was also home to trees and vegetation, some of which were more than 30 years old. More than 875 trees were inspected and tagged, and where possible, excavated and removed to the SC Tree & Turf Nursery, which provides the tree and turf for all Qatar 2022 venues.
So far, 923 containers have been delivered to the stadium site out of the 949 required for its construction. The fabrication of steel for the structure is 94% complete and the development of the steel structure is now 33 per cent complete.
Eng. Mohammed Al Mulla, Acting Precinct Director, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, said: “It’s an honour to work on such a sustainable project. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do for Qatar 2022 and Ras Abu Aboud exemplifies that commitment. The fact we’ve been able to decontaminate this former industrial site and turn it into a prime seafront location for future generations to enjoy is a great legacy for us.”
