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Carbon-Neutral Qatar 2022: A Reality Check | |
| Sumita Pawar |
The use of Qatar's national grid to power temporary facilities at FIFA World Cup stadiums and precincts instead of relying on diesel generators has cut carbon emissions by around 9,000 metric tonnes, according to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC).
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SC director general Yasir al-Jamal said, "By working with national stakeholders, we were able to deliver an innovative solution that honoured our sustainability commitments. By drastically reducing the need for on-site diesel generators, we improved local air quality, reduced noise, minimised carbon emissions, and eliminated the need to transport and store large amounts of fuel. We were able to achieve all of these benefits while providing a highly reliable source of power throughout the tournament."
Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, president of Kahramaa, said: "We initiated our collaboration with the SC during the early stages of infrastructure planning. After conducting a comprehensive assessment of the power requirements, we identified the optimal infrastructure upgrades necessary to increase power capacities and extend cabling to the required areas. Our recommended approach delivered notable environmental advantages while also being cost-effective. Moreover, it establishes a long-lasting legacy by ensuring the stadiums can be powered directly from Qatar's reliable grid, eliminating the need for temporary generators for future events."
The project was part of the SC’s commitment to boosting environmental issues.
The solution was implemented at seven of the eight Qatar 2022 stadiums by the SC, FIFA, and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa).
The project saved more than 5 million litres of diesel, according to an SC statement.
The tournament organisers estimate that 82% of the tournament’s power needs were delivered directly from the national grid.