Qatar takes new solar mega-projects

Gas-rich Qatar on Tuesday announced two major solar projects that will more than double its energy output from the renewable source within two years.

Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi hailed the new development as a major step in efforts to  "increase the reliance on high-efficiency renewal energy" in the Gulf state, which is one of the world's biggest liquefied natural gas producers.

The new plants at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan will take Qatar's solar output to 1.67 gigawatts by the end of 2024, Qatar Energy said in a statement.

Mesaieed and Ras Laffan are key bases for Qatar's natural gas production, which is also undergoing major expansion. South Korean conglomerate Samsung will lead construction of the new solar plants, with an initial investment of more than $600 million, the statement said.

While lagging behind other Gulf states in the solar race, Qatar has announced a target of five gigawatts of solar energy capacity by 2035.