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Kahramaa

Kahramaa Awareness Park rendering Kahramaa

The wait is almost over.

A futuristic-looking education center in Al Thumama is expected to finally open its doors to the public next week, officials have announced.

When it launches on the heels of Earth Day, the Kahramaa Awareness Park will teach adults and children about electricity and water conservation through exhibitions and 3D films.

SeeMyCulture/Twitter

Kahramaa Awareness Park SeeMyCulture/Twitter

Opening hours for the public haven’t been announced just yet.

The park will officially open on Monday, April 24, to VIPs and others who will mark the fifth birthday of Kahramaa’s conservation program Tarsheed.

Through Tarsheed, authorities have been trying to get residents to use less water and energy.

It does this through both public education campaigns and fines for wastage.

Consumption woes

Conservation is more important than ever for Qatar, which saw its water consumption jump 70 percent in the past decade.

Even with the expansion of desalination plants, the dramatic increase means the country is running out of fresh water for drinking and farming.

Tarsheed/Facebook

Tarsheed campaign Tarsheed/Facebook

Qatar has set specific water and power reduction targets through 2018, and is currently working to meet these goals.

In an encouraging sign, officials said last year that per-person electricity use declined by 14 percent from 2013 to 2016.

And per capita water consumption fell by 17 percent between April 2012 and November 2015.

Delays

The awareness park is located on Najma St. off of E-Ring Road, and is equipped with solar panels and wind turbines to make it more environmentally friendly.

SeeMyCulture/Twitter

Kahramaa Awareness Park SeeMyCulture/Twitter

It was originally supposed to begin educating people about energy usage in 2013.

But its opening was repeatedly pushed back for several reasons.

Previously, organizers said the launch was delayed because it took time to import exhibition materials and models from abroad.

Most recently, it was slated to open last fall, before being delayed again.

Thoughts?

Petras Gagilas/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Petras Gagilas/Flickr

A new inspection drive has been launched to catch and fine those who flout Qatar’s water and electricity wastage rules, utilities provider Kahramaa has announced.

In a video posted on its Snapchat account “Kahramaa.live” this month, inspectors from conservation arm Tarsheed were seen fining a venue for having outdoor lights on during the day.

For some, the inspections may come as a surprise, as Tarsheed has previously complained that it often lacks the legal authority to inspect homes and other venues.

Poppy/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Poppy/Flickr

But the Peninsula reports Fahad Al Hanzab, head of the Legal Monitoring Unit at Tarsheed, as saying in the video that some inspectors do have judicial powers.

He continued:

“They visit the facilities to enforce the Tarsheed law. Law No. 20 of 2016 has banned using drinking water for washing vehicles, equipment and outer parts of homes with gushing hoses.”

Qatar is among the world’s largest consumers of water and electricity per capita. This is in part because the two utilities are so heavily subsidized by the government.

However, the cost of energy did go up last year.

And amid warnings of upcoming austerity measures, curbing consumption has become even more important.

Penalties

It is against the law in Qatar to keep external lights on between 7am and 4pm, and to use running water from a hose on gardens or to wash cars.

Last year, Qatar doubled the maximum penalties for water and electricity wastage.

Samira / Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Samira / Flickr

Now, residents who use drinking water to wash cars or equipment or clean courtyards can be fined up to QR20,000.

Residents or owners can also be fined for water leakages caused by damaged pipes.

Additionally, those who leave their outside lights switched on during the day can face fines of up to QR10,000. It is not illegal, however, for buildings to leave their lights on at night.

Targets

Qatar has set specific water and power reduction targets through 2018, and is currently working to meet these goals.

The country aims to reduce energy consumption per capita from 43 KWh/day currently to 39KWh/day by then.

Stock photo

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Stock photo

It also aims to cut the amount of water used from 595L/day to 459 L/day.

In an encouraging development, officials said earlier this year that per-person electricity use declined by 14 percent in the past three years.

And per capita water consumption fell by 17 percent between April 2012 and November 2015.

Thoughts?