The Sahara Forest Project pilot operations have verified significant comparative advantages using saltwater for the integration of food production, revegetation and renewable processes.
The Sahara Forest Project pilot operations have verified the robustness and suitability of the design for large-scale commercial operation in desert environments. After two and a half years of studies, data modeling, tests and pilot operation The Sahara Forest Project has reached a key target in the development of The Sahara Forest Project.
The Sahara Forest Project pilot facility in Qatar is a partnership between Yara International ASA, Qatar Fertilizer Company (Qafco) and The Sahara Forest Project.
“Together with Yara and Qafco we realized a unique research platform to demonstrate and optimize environmental technologies that will enable restorative growth in desert areas around the world. The findings from the operational program carried out at the pilot facility in Qatar prove the suitability and robustness of The Sahara Forest Project for large-scale commercial operation in desert environments”, says Joakim Hauge, CEO of The Sahara Forest Project.
The Sahara Forest Project Pilot Facility in Qatar has hosted a multidisciplinary program of technology verification and optimization. Through two and a half years of studies, field testing and operations, a solid foundation is now in place for enabling the roll-out of The Sahara Forest Project in Qatar.
All goals achieved
Yara, Qafco and The Sahara Forest Project established three goals for the Qatar Pilot Facility:
• Establish a fully functional Sahara Forest Project facility that verifies technological concepts and synergies including resource flows and opportunities for scale
• Host world-class research in desert agriculture, algae and halophyte cultivation, operation of seawater-cooled greenhouses and solar facilities in Qatari conditions.
• Provide a showcase of the Sahara Forest Project concept and the potential for Restorative Growth to delegates at the UN Climate Negotiations and beyond
The facility has successfully met expectations for all three goals.
Concept proved competitive
The SFP technologies operated successfully throughout the summer, proving the concept is effective and competitive in challenging conditions. The research results prove that there are significant comparative advantages using saltwater for the integration of food production, revegetation and renewable processes.
In addition to the three partners, scientific researchers from Qatar, the MENA region, Europe, and the United States has participated in the scientific platform provided by the Pilot Facility.
