Updated: Qatar Solar Technologies plans US$1bn polysilicon
plant; operations to commence in 2013
Oct. 6, 2011 - Síle Mc Mahon - pv-tech.org
 Update:
It has emerged that the Qatar Solar Technologies
company is a joint venture that comprises SolarWorld
AG, Qatar Solar and the Qatar Development Bank. The
JV was established in 2010 by SolarWorld with the
intention of expanding the company's coverage of
the solar value chain.
Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has revealed that
it will be constructing an 8,000 MTPY (metric tons
per year) high-purity solar grade polysilicon manufacturing
plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, north-east Qatar.
The approximately US$1 billion plant will be built
on 1.2 million square metres of land, and is scheduled
for completion towards the end of 2013.
The EPC contract for the project was awarded to
the Gurgaon, India-based Punj Lloyd Group, which
is already active in EPC contracts for Qatar’s
oil and gas sector. The contract for technology and
equipment supply for the facility was awarded to
centrotherm
in March 2010.
The plant’s future location was chosen because
of its potential for expansion. This marks one of
the first large polysilicon manufacturing projects
undertaken by a Qatari company, as well as one of
the first geographical shifts in the location of
polysilicon production.
QSTec has been active in the development of manufacturing
and research capabilities in the country. The new
polysilicon plant is being constructed in the Ras
Laffan Industrial City, an area that is largely centered
on LNG (liquefied natural gas) refineries and exports.
Dr. Khalid K. Al Hajri, Board Member and CEO of
QSTec said: “By utilizing Qatar’s resources
today to make polysilicon, which in turn creates
a variety of solar energy technologies and products,
we are helping the global transformation towards
a more diversified mix of clean energy solutions… In
Qatar we have been blessed with energy both above
and below surface. We have tapped the energy below
the earth through our LNG exports and now we are
looking to the sun with a vision to tapping its
unlimited potential.”
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