Latest news with #Al-AttiyahFoundation
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Lebanon's energy sector on the cusp of transformation, says minister Joe Sadd
Tribune News Network Doha Lebanon's new Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, outlined steps on how to rebuild his country's faltering economy and energy industry during a candid and forward-looking conversation in the latest episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast. In a wide-ranging interview,Saddi, a former Chair of Strategy & Middle East and a veteran of major regional privatisation efforts, outlined Lebanon's pressing energy challenges and the ambitious steps being taken to rebuild a fractured system. Speaking with host Nawied Jabarkhyl, the minister emphasised the need for institutional reform, transparency, and private-sector engagement to unlock investment and stabilise electricity supply. 'Lebanon has endured one of the most severe peacetime economic crises globally,'Saddi said. 'But for the first time since 2019, we have a glimmer of hope. There's a path, a tough path, but nevertheless there is path that if we follow, we should be able to get through the thick of it.'At the heart of this transformation is the country's electricity sector, which has long suffered from decades of underinvestment, regulatory stagnation, and chronic described the absence of new power plant development over the last 15 years as a critical failure, compounded by ineffective governance. 'Tens of billions of dollars were spent without a single new plant being built,' he stated. To rebuild credibility,Saddi is reviving long-dormant legislation, most notably Law 462, passed in 2002 but never implemented. This law calls for the unbundling of generation, transmission, and distribution, and the creation of an independent Electricity Regulatory Authority. He has prioritised the Authority's establishment, receiving over 340 applications for its five positions in a matter of weeks signaling renewed public trust in energy sector reform. The minister also spoke of major infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of at least one new power plant and modernisation of the national transmission grid, envisioning financing these initiatives through international and domestic private partnerships. Renewables are also central to Lebanon's energy highlighted the untapped potential of solar energy and the pivotal role of regulatory reform in enabling utility-scale projects. 'The next step is scaling up with large, grid-integrated projects,' he said. Natural gas will also play a critical role in the energy transition. He confirmed efforts to secure floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) and re-engage with regional pipeline infrastructure, while continuing exploration partnerships with companies such as TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy. Asked why investors should place faith in Lebanon now,Saddi pointed to a change in mindset: 'Lebanon is back in a sense. The trust in the current government is the highest that it has been for the last 30 or 40 years in Lebanon. The wave of reform that is coming is inescapable; there is no other path that is open to the Lebanese. One of the first things I said when I took this role is that politics must be removed from the electricity sector which has been plagued be political dealings.'
Qatar Tribune
31-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
ICC Qatar launches Environment & Energy Commission to drive private sector leadership on sustainability
DOHA: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar, in collaboration with the Al-Attiyah Foundation, has launched the ICC Qatar Environment & Energy Commission – a landmark initiative aimed at galvanising the private sector's role in advancing Qatar's sustainable energy and climate goals. The Commission, unveiled during a high-level event in Doha on Wednesday, will serve as the country's premier platform for private-sector engagement on climate policy, environmental stewardship, and the energy transition. Aligned with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Commission's establishment marks a significant step in reinforcing commitment to sustainability and economic diversification under the Qatar National Vision 2030. The roadmap unveiled at the event outlines a phased implementation strategy, including the formation of dedicated working groups focused on low-carbon energy transition, sustainable water and desalination, and emissions mitigation through tools such as carbon markets and carbon capture. The Commission will also engage closely with national entities such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Kahramaa, and QatarEnergy, while fostering strategic alliances with international partners including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the UN Global Compact. Sheikha Tamader Al Thani, Secretary General, ICC Qatar highlighted: 'The establishment of the ICC Qatar Environment & Energy Commission represents a significant step in advancing our commitment to sustainability as a key driver of long-term economic resilience and private sector leadership. This Commission provides a dedicated platform for constructive dialogue, policy advocacy, and actionable collaboration between business, government, and global institutions.' She also pointed out: 'Through the commission work, we aim to align with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, while actively contributing to international frameworks and initiatives. Together with our partners at the Al-Attiyah Foundation, we are confident that this Commission will catalyze innovative solutions and position Qatar's private sector as a leader in the global energy transition.' Speaking at the launch, Colman Hands, Co-Chair of the Commission, emphasized the importance of private-sector leadership in addressing climate challenges. 'This Commission is designed to be a dynamic force, connecting policy, innovation, and investment in ways that can drive real change,' he stated.
Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
LNG oversupply looms but Qatar poised to boost leadership
Tribune News Network Doha The world is on the cusp of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) oversupply that could reshape global energy markets for years to come, the Al-Attiyah Foundation reports in its latest Energy Research Paper, Navigating the LNG Oversupply: Market Dynamics and Future Challenges. Yet amid the turbulence, Qatar is uniquely positioned to strengthen its leadership, thanks to its low-cost production, strategic expansion plans, and growing list of long-term partnerships with key global markets. Between 2025 and 2029, at least 200 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of new LNG capacity (equal to half of today's global output) is expected to flood the market. LNG supply is projected to exceed demand by 63 million tonnes by 2030 if all under-construction projects proceed on schedule, Bloomberg's Global LNG Market Outlook 2030: Focus on Supply Risks states. However, project delays and sanctions, particularly against Russia, have already removed an estimated 21 million tonnes of supply by the end of the decade, softening the oversupply outlook. Despite a short-term tight market, LNG supply is forecast to outpace demand from 2027 onwards. Still, Qatar's advantages remain clear. Its North Field expansion projects, including the recently launched North Field West, will boost the nation's export capacity by 85% by 2030. QatarEnergy's low-cost production at around $6/MMBtu, which is significantly below new U.S. projects at $9–10/MMBtu, ensures the country can remain profitable even in a lower-price environment. Qatar's strength is reinforced by securing large, long-term supply agreements of up to 27 years with major buyers across Europe and Asia, including Italy, France, the Netherlands, and China. These contracts provide Qatar with market certainty at a time when European and Asian buyers face growing uncontracted demand. Europe's uncontracted LNG demand is expected to rise by 40% by 2030, while less than a third of Asia's expected demand increase is currently covered. Meanwhile, the United States LNG exports are expected to grow by 15% this year, reaching almost 14 billion cubic feet per day, according to the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook, Dec 2024. However, U.S. flexibility comes with price sensitivity, and American projects face higher shipping distances and emerging regulatory hurdles. In contrast, Qatar's strategic investment in infrastructure, its reputation for reliability, and its access to both European and Asian buyers position it to thrive in the next energy cycle. As global LNG demand is projected to rise from 400 Mtpa today to over 600 Mtpa by 2030, Qatar's leadership will become even more critical. While LNG markets are entering a period of significant change, Qatar's proactive strategy, flexibility, and resilience place it firmly on course to consolidate its position as the world's most influential LNG exporter for decades to come.
