Production to begin by fourth quarter of year
DOHA: The $5.6bn Qatalum aluminium project at Mesaieed is on track for start-up at the end of this year with 65 percent of the construction having been completed by end of January, according to Qatalum CEO, Truls Gautesen.
"The Qatalum project is progressing according to plans and the first aluminium will be produced in the fourth quarter of this year," Gautesen told reporters during a Qatalum Media Day at the site of the project.
The impressive structures of the plant now cover the once flat and sandy landscape of Mesaieed Industrial City with some 17,000 workers on site. Good progress has been made on the poltrom buildings, the dedicated gas power plant with a planned installed capacity of 1,350MW, construction of the jetty and other facilities.
With its initial Phase 1 annual capacity of 585,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, Qatalum will be the largest initial phase greenfield aluminium smelter ever built in one step.
The project will reach its full capacity toward the second half of next year. In fact, the world-scale plant site caters for a future expansion of up to 1.2 million tonnes in annual capacity.
Gautesen said Qatalum products will flow into many countries around the world, mainly the GCC, Europe and Asia. He said despite the current financial turmoil, the project is positioned as a highly competitive supplier thanks to the proven technology being utilised and available energy supply. Besides, the smelter's operating costs will be among the most competitive in the world.
"Qatalum will still have a sound economy with the prices we see today. The project will have positive financial results," he said. The Qatalum project, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Hydro of Norway, is based on strong strategic fundamentals. QP is providing a unique combination of long-term competitive energy resources, an industrial infrastructure and privileged location to accommodate this large project.
Most of the contractors building the Qatalum smelter and power plant are located in the new Qatalum Construction Village in Mesaieed. This is a self sustained village with its own power generation, sewage treatment plant and housing capacity for more than 10,000 people.
The village has a mosque, fire services, security and catering services in addition to playgrounds, well-equipped training centres, barber shop, money exchange, supermarket, Internet café, medical centre and transportation.
Qatalum Deputy CEO, Hassan Al Rashid said the company is currently recruiting and training employees for commissioning, start-up and operation phases. Of the top management of 40, approximately 20 percent are Qataris.
"We have a 5-Year Qatarisation plan. This is a big challenge, but we are committed to reach the 50 percent target," he said.
The company has been taking many steps to reach this target, including the sponsoring of a Professor chair at the Qatar University together with Hydro and is planning for high school and university scholarships.
By Naseer Al Harthy
© The Peninsula 2009
