Woqod to open 150 gas stations by 2022
Plans are afoot to build some 150 petrol stations across the country over the next eight years in preparation for the 2022 FIFA event.
Of these, 100 are expected to be ready in phases by 2018 to meet the growing demand. By next year, roughly 40 are likely to be operational.
Besides, some 25 existing petrol stations across Qatar are being expanded, with work on at least 10 continuing.
Local petroleum products distributor, Qatar Fuel, popularly known as Woqod, yesterday unveiled its ambitious plans for 2014-18. It also provided hints about what is in store in the next five-year plan (2018-22).
Woqod said considering the fact that the population had breached the 2.1 million-mark, it was embarking on an ambitious “modernisation and development” plan in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The urgency to embark on development plans is also dictated by the fact that some petrol stations have been demolished.
Woqod owns and operates 23 petrol stations. Another six are owned by others but operated by Woqod and these are mostly in remote areas that serve specialist customers such boat owners, among others.
Qatar News Agency (QNA) quoted Woqod’s CEO, Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari, as saying that five petrol stations in Al Wajba, Al Wakra, Al Jamiliya, Lusail and Al Dhakheera are under construction and expected to be ready by early 2015.
Tenders for another eight, to be located along Al Shamal and Salwa Roads and in Al Khor, are likely to be floated next month.
Six more are at design stage and to be located near Hamad International Airport (two), Education City (two), and one each in New Mesaimeer and Semaisima. They are also likely be ready by next year.
Search is on for space for eight petrol stations. They are expected to be completed for commissioning by 2016.
Work is on to expand at least 10 petrol stations. By 2018, some 100 new petrol stations would be added to the network, and by 2022 another 50 would be ready.
Talking of cooking gas cylinders, Al Kuwari reiterated that by 2017 all metal cylinders would be replaced with the transparent (Shafaf) ones.
He said the use of compressed natural gas in transport is being encouraged. Presently, Mowasalat is using it for its vehicles.
Two technical inspection facilities for cars are ready in Wadi Al Banat and Mamoura and will be operational next year.
More are being set up in places such as Barwa Al Baraha, Al Khor, Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya, said Al Kuwari.
