Qatar's electricity consumption in 2024 is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which accounts for almost all (99.76%) of its electricity generation. The low-carbon or clean electricity sector, which ideally includes sources such as solar and nuclear, is close to nonexistent in Qatar. The reliance on fossil energy is concerning due to the environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution. In comparison, many other regions are advancing towards more sustainable energy solutions by harnessing nuclear and solar power to generate electricity.

Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Qatar?

Electricity consumption per person in Qatar has seen growth, as evidenced by the increase from 18,728 kWh per person in 2022 to 19,593 kWh in 2024. This marks a notable rise, highlighting a growing demand for electricity. Despite this increase in total consumption, low-carbon electricity generation per person has slightly declined from the previous record of 53 kWh in 2021 to 47 kWh in 2024. This stagnation in clean energy development comes as an urgent signal to invest more in low-carbon energy infrastructure to ensure a sustainable future amidst rising electricity needs.

Suggestions

Looking globally, Qatar has several examples to draw from in boosting its low-carbon electricity generation. Nations like France and Slovakia, where nuclear mightily contributes to their electricity needs, generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy. On the solar forefront, regions such as North Macedonia and Nevada demonstrate the potential of solar, producing nearly half and about a third of their electricity from solar energy, respectively. These experiences highlight opportunities for Qatar to diversify its energy mix by investing in both nuclear and solar technologies, aligning itself with a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.

History

Throughout the data years from 2020 to 2024, Qatar's low-carbon electricity generation, specifically from solar and biofuels, has remained stagnant, with no recorded growth in TWh. This lack of progression in the low-carbon sector underlines an ongoing challenge to transform the country’s electricity portfolio. To decisively shift towards sustainable energy, Qatar can take inspiration from other regions renowned for their commitment to clean energy solutions, thus actively working against the negative impacts brought by an over-reliance on fossil fuels.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade