According to the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-16, domestic AC units account for two-thirds (67 percent) of total residential power consumption. Older-generation appliances are to be finally phased out for import and sale in the state by a new deadline of July 2016. Starting 2016 summer, only energy-efficient air conditioning units, refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances will be allowed to be sold in Qatar, according to a senior Ministry of Environment (MOE) official.

The new style of AC units and other domestic electrical goods should help to reduce Qatar's massive electricity consumption and save on costs. Only the new-generation appliances, which will help save 30 percent of power, will be allowed to be imported,' Qatar Tribune quoted Al Kuwari as saying.

The new deadline coincides with the enforcement of a ruling by a regional group, of which Qatar is a member, to regulate domestic electrical appliances. The GCC standardization Organization (GSO) ruled in November last year to introduce minimum technical requirements for low-voltage appliances.

Goods such as fans, food mixers, electric heaters, fridges and washing machines will all have to carry a permanent G-mark sticker that shows they meet the necessary standards. The new deadline comes as Qatar authorities have been trying to encourage residents to be more energy-conscious.

At the recent inauguration of the Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, Gulf states were warned that they face losing critical export revenue if they don?t become more energy efficient and reverse the trend of soaring consumption at home.

One of the think tank's founding members and the economic advisor to the Emir Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim said: "As the rest of the world is gradually turning towards greater energy efficiency in economic terms, much of the GCC is going the other way, using ever more energy to produce a unit of economic growth and becoming less competitive in the process"

The state utilities provider Kahramaa already attempts to draw attention to wastage through its Tarsheed campaign, which is tasked with reducing domestic use of energy and water. The agency's five-year plan, which launched in April last year, aims to cut electricity usage per person by 9 percent – from 43 KWh/day currently to 39KWh/day by 2018.

In October the Emir also signed off on legislation that doubles the fines for those caught wasting water and power. The new law, which amends Law No. 26 of 2008, doubles the maximum penalty that the current conservation law allows for violators. For example,  those who leave their outside lights on during the day could be fined up to QR10,000. It is not illegal, however, for buildings to leave their lights on at night.

Source: Dohanews