Health & Safety
Health and Safety at Umm Al Houl
Umm Al Houl Power Company (UHP) is committed to safeguard the Health, Safety and Environment of its employees, contractors, clients and the public at large. The management and employees of UHP is committed to understand, meet and exceed our Customer’s requirements and needs through continual improvement of our operation and maintenance processes. UHP is dedicated to eliminate the sources of incidents, environmental hazards and to lessen their risk and impact by stressing involvement, consultation and teamwork. All employees and contractors are empowered to help develop a safe workplace and safe environment; safe system of work, good working habits and at all times to participate in Health, Safety and Environmental programs.
Our Commitment towards Health and Safety
- A clear and visible commitment from the management, which implies effective measures to enhance HSE at work.
- A clear involvement and visible commitment from, the management and senior staff as to the importance of HSE and well-being at work and that is an integral part of everyone’s task and empowerment of employees through trainings, coaching and supervision.
- Everyone has a responsibility in preventing injury/ill health to himself, to colleagues, to the public and preventing harm to the environment.
- Constructive and open communication with immediate action to situations involving HSE issues.
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A search for continual improvement based on:
- Use of risk based analytical techniques.
- Implementation of “lessons learned” from incidents or near miss incidents.
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Knowledge of HSE matters build up as it is essential for everyone to achieve HSE Excellence:
- General and Specific training will lead to increased awareness in each person.
- HSE is part of the staff, contractors and other services qualification process.
- HSE is part of management and staff evaluation and reward.
- The establishment of good working relationships with national, regional and local authorities.
Safety Section:
The Safety Section provides continuous monitoring and coaching to ensure everyone is align with the HSE Management System. It further develops campaigns and program that bolster knowledge and awareness. The facility has recently celebrated significant H&S milestones, 1,000 Days and 2 Million Safe Man-hours without a single lost time incident since the 1st day of RO Commercial Operation. Umm Al Houl further aims to align its current H&S Framework to ISO 45001.
Human Development
To meet the purpose of Qatar National Vision 2030, we drove to embed our employees with knowledge and organizational training programs, which focused on excellence in sustainable, safe, compliant processes, and effective leadership. UHP encourages human development in sustaining a prosperous society and building better workforce confidence as a way to prioritize and cater to Qatar's economic and social needs.
Social Development
As a part of our mission, UHP has pledged to build a sustainable future that entails high moral standards and social value for our employees, society, and the world. We commit ourselves to carry out operations that contribute to the society, environment, in-line with the National Vision for Qatar
UHP values collaboration with local businesses and stakeholders that plays a significant role in achieving our goals and improving the standard of life through our product and services.
At its core, UHP is determined to supply the community with a reliable source of power and water by supporting society's overall development, adhering to rules and regulations in compliance with the environmental laws.
Economic Development
Umm AL Houl Power Plant acknowledges the importance of Qatar's Economic Development. The company supplies 30% of Qatar's electricity needs and 40% of water needs, making its way to become the largest contributing sector to Qatar's GDP. UHP also exceptionally contributes to the service sector, which is responsible for 3.9% GDP growth.
With the generation of 2520 MW of electricity and 197.9 gallons of drinking water, UHP paves a way to serve about 2.5 million homes around the plant. We complete the whole water and electricity generation process by burning natural gas and desalinating seawater.
UHP ensures high interest at the bidding stage of procurement from eminent global RO developers by establishing commercial viability for Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology. The plant also validates private funding to derive long term partnership for national infrastructure projects.
The company follows a precise plan and a sustainable approach to maximize the use of Qatar's natural resources. We are driven to use the readily available resources and raw materials to run the Umm Al Houl power plant.
Environmental Development
Environmental Stewardship
In line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 that sets the long-term objective for transforming the country into an advanced economy, capable of sustaining its own development and providing high standards of living for all people by 2030. As a result of this objective Qatar is now experiencing a great economic growth and expansion of its industrial activities and services.
From this promising vision Umm Al Houl Power Company (UHPC) committed to minimizing pollution and protecting the environment. We energetically manage our activities so that they have the least possible environmental and social impacts. Using natural resources efficiently through following strict environmental monitoring system in order to meet its strategic goals consistent with State of Qatar vision as leading Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP).
Our environmental monitoring commitments are established to ensure compliance with national and international standards requirements such as “Consent to Operate” issued to UHPC by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) under Law No. 30 (2002) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) “Guidance Notes to Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability” respectively. The various environmental components are being monitored during operation include the following:
- Marine Ecology
- Sensitive Habitat
- Seabed temperature
- Entrainment
- Seawater quality
- Sediment quality
- Cooling water discharges
- Treated wastewater effluent
- Noise
- Groundwater quality
- Stack emissions
- Ambient air quality
- Greenhouse gas emissions
GHG Emissions Accounting & Reduction
The State of Qatar is signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is an international treaty that aims to limit the increases in average global temperature that have resulted in climate change, and to cope with its inevitable impacts. As such, Qatar’s Ministry of Environment has annual reporting obligations to the UNFCCC in accordance with its commitments to the current Paris Agreement, and previously the Kyoto Protocol, both of which record emissions reduction targets for member countries.
In addition, some lending institutions require that projects to which they provide support report on greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with their endorsed Guidance documents, including those of the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards for Environmental and Social Sustainability.
Informed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Guidelines and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, a calculation sheet was developed by environmental consultant (GHD) for the calculation and reporting of the operational GHG emissions of the Umm Al Houl Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP).
GHG sources included in this methodology were only Scope 1 (direct) emissions, and comprise of:
- Mobile equipment (e.g. vehicles and machinery)
- Stationary equipment (e.g. gas turbines)
- Fugitive emissions from equipment losses (e.g. sulphur hexafluoride)
The total GHGs (CO2 equivalents) the Umm Al Houl IWPP emitted between January and December 2021 was 2,352,698.89 tCO2e:
- 1st Half Emissions 2021: 1,049,949.85 (tCO2e)
- 2nd Half Emissions 2021: 1,302,749.04 (tCO2e)
Methane Emissions Reduction
While leaking equipment’s, such as valves, flanges and connectors can be source of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in this facility, UHP has outlined a standard procedure for leak detection, quantification and rectification program. It includes the main activities, processes and aspects of implementing smart “Leak Detection And Rectification” (LDAR) for methane reduction that monitor and control combustible fuel gas leaks from the systems and equipment’s within this facility.
Other Air Emissions
The combustion of fossil fuel gives rise to a number of pollutants with the potential to negatively affect air quality. With respect to natural gas (the only fuel to be burnt in the gas turbines), the pollutant of concern are considered in the assessment which are monitored at UHP via a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS).
Stack emissions monitoring at six operational stacks for the following parameters:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Oxygen (O2)
- Ammonia Slip (NH3)
- Particulate Matter (PM)
Stack emissions at UHP were compliant with the CTO limits for emissions during the monitoring period of year 2019.
| Pollutant Emission Rates | Main/ByPass |
|---|---|
| SO2 (mg/Nm3) | 500 |
| NOx (mg/Nm3) | 20/55 |
| CO (mg/Nm3) | 500 |
| PM (Particulates matter, mg/Nm3) | 5 |
| NH3 slip (ppm) | 2 |
Pollutants’ Q Limits as per UHP CTO
Water Use and Effluents
The site has its own waste water treatment system comprising three (3) independent subsystems including an oily water treatment system, a process waste water (including chemical waste water) treatment system and a sewage water treatment system. The oily water from each expected oily contamination area is transferred via sump pump to the waste water treatment system where it is treated by an oil separation system. The normal waste water is transferred from each sump to the waste water treatment system; collected waste water is treated through the neutralization system and suspended solid removal system. The treated wastewater is discharged to the sea via the outfall in compliance with local regulations. The sewage water from each building is transferred to the sewage treatment system and, following treatment to ensure the water quality meets the relevant Qatari standards, is used for irrigation purposes on site.
Waste Management
Considering the operational process expected to occur on site. Waste material are occasionally generated because of routine operation, maintenance and equipment outages. The exact type and quantity of the waste arising are dependent upon the nature of those activities. Provision for the most suitable management practices for these waste streams are identified prior to any significant maintenance and outage activities being carried out.
Corporate Social Responsibility
At Umm Al Houl Power we have a strong commitment to giving back to the communities in which we serve. Moving towards environmental sustainability and ensuring a high level of corporate social responsibility form important foundations for our business operations. Our CSR strategy encompasses promoting education in different sectors and enhancing sustainability awareness in the community.
EDUCATION
Workshops
“Sustainability Approach in Energy Generation and Water Desalination”
In partnership with OEM Siemens AG and Acciona Agua, UHP held a hands-on workshop for engineering students that showcased the use of new technologies for sustainable energy generation and desalinated seawater.
The workshop also made students aware of Sustainable development goals and provided them with the opportunity to connect with industry experts and global companies. The workshop raised awareness among students and inspired the next generation of energy leaders.
“Human Driven Impacts on The Marine Health of The Arabian Gulf”
Qatar University workshop Designed to study the potential impacts of desalination activities on the Arabian Gulf.
The workshop covered broad aspects regarding the marine health of the Arabian Gulf. In addition to desalination
processes and brine discharge, it will cover different human driven impacts on the Gulf. Moreover, Mitigation
and restoration measures will be place under the spotlight with innovative approaches to protect the marine
environment. UHP support this research project by all what they need.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
UHP support research studies taken by Qatar University research and development department funded by NPRP, that studies the Impact of the industries on the marine health.
Campaign
A Blood donation camp held on April 25 2019 at Umm AlHoul Power Plant where employees along with UHP’s Contractors and Sub-Contractors activity participated and donated blood.
Sponsor
UHP sponsored the Umm AL Houl Cup in the Qatar Equestrian and Horsing Racing competition held on November 13 2019
Internship and training programs
Students from Qatar University and fresh graduate engineers from Kahramaa attended training programs in UHP to understand the application of various field of engineering in a power generating and water desalination plant. The duration of the training is from 1 month to 2 years.
Site Visit
As one of the largest Power generation and water desalination company, UHP receiving many site visitors
- On November 2019 in partnership with the ministry of environment “Urban planning forum” UHP received a visitors from Singapore.
- Students from different universities ( Taxes A & M and Qatar university ) every quarter for industrial visit
