Qatar's polysilicon plant on track for 2016 launch

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) said the construction work at its polysilicon plant, the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, is in the final stages and will roll out later this year at Ras Laffan Industrial City.

QSTec is a joint venture between Qatar Solar, a fully-owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, SolarWorld AG, a pioneer and the largest manufacturer of solar modules in the US and Europe, and the top lender Qatar Development Bank. 

The exports of polysilicon (a key ingredient used in over 90 per cent of the world’s solar modules) to QSTec's customers will commence later this year, said a statement from the Qatari firm.

There are two polysilicon trains under construction which will produce 8,000 tonnes per annum, it stated.

Over 3,000 km of electrical cable has been installed at QSTec facility in addition to a network of pipes stretching over 200 km long, said the company in a statement.

About 15,000 tonnes of steel and 100,000 cu m of concrete have been used in the construction of the giant polysilicon plant, it stated.

QSTec, through its partners, is supplying quality solar modules in Qatar and the Mena region for its customers. It supplied modules are found on some of Qatar's most iconic buildings, said the statement.

"We are gearing up to move the plant from construction stage into the production phase," remarked Dr Khalid Al Hajri, the chairman and CEO of QSTec.

"This phase is a very proud moment for all involved as we witness this enormously complex manufacturing facility come to life and see QSTec’s polysilicon transformed by our partners into solar modules and technologies for use throughout the world," said Dr Al Hajri.

About 93 per cent of the construction work has been completed at the plant clocking more than 31 million man-hours without a single lost time incident, he added.

TradeArabia News Service