Your trusted ESCO partner for energy efficiency in Qatar.

A Super ESCO is a government-established entity that develops and manages the energy efficiency market by coordinating with private ESCOs. In Dubai, the official Super ESCO is Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), created by DEWA under the guidance of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE). Its role is not to compete with private ESCOs, but to oversee large-scale retrofit programs, set standards, and facilitate access to financing. Etihad ESCO leads the building retrofit initiative under Dubai’s Demand Side Management (DSM) strategy and ensures alignment with national energy efficiency goals.

As a certified and RSB-accredited ESCO, ista guarantees savings through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). These contracts are structured around detailed pre-project energy audits and savings calculations. We use international Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocols—such as the IPMVP (International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol)—to track performance. The savings are contractually defined and monitored throughout the project duration to ensure the agreed results are achieved.

In the EPC model, the ESCO—such as ista—assumes the performance risk. If the guaranteed savings are not met, the ESCO is financially responsible for covering the shortfall, as outlined in the contract. This may involve compensation, technical adjustments, or extending the performance period. All savings are transparently verified using established Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocols throughout the project duration.

That’s why it’s essential to choose an experienced and accredited ESCO partner. With over 60 years of international expertise and a strong local presence in the region, ista offers both the technical capability and long-term reliability needed to deliver on performance guarantees with confidence.

Qatar does not currently promote a single public “green fund” brand for building owners in the same way as the Dubai Green Fund, but it has a strong policy framework for climate and energy efficiency. The Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the National Climate Change Action Plan 2030 set clear targets, including a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with specific measures for the building sector.

Financing for energy efficiency and clean energy projects is generally mobilised through a mix of government initiatives, Kahramaa‑led conservation programmes such as Tarsheed, and partnerships with local and international financial institutions. These mechanisms prioritise projects that improve building performance, reduce electricity and water demand, and support Qatar’s wider climate commitments.

For existing buildings, energy‑saving projects are usually developed by specialist Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) that can quantify, guarantee and monitor savings. ESCOs work with banks and, where applicable, with public programmes to structure performance‑based funding so that repayments are linked to measured reductions in consumption over time.

Building owners or facility managers who want to access this kind of financing should work with an experienced ESCO such as ista. The ESCO carries out an energy audit, proposes a package of measures and collaborates with financing partners to secure the required capital. This approach enables clients to upgrade their assets with limited upfront investment, using guaranteed savings to cover repayments over the life of the project.

Qatar’s National Climate Change Action Plan 2030 is the country’s roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a more resilient, resource‑efficient economy. It aims to cut emissions by at least 25% by 2030 compared to business‑as‑usual, with specific targets for sectors including buildings, energy, transport and industry.

The plan is coordinated under the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, which sets national priorities for emissions, air quality, water, biodiversity and the circular economy. Government entities, Kahramaa and other stakeholders are responsible for developing and delivering projects that meet these goals while supporting economic growth.

For buildings, the plan emphasises energy efficiency, better building codes, green building standards and programmes such as Tarsheed to reduce electricity and water consumption. These measures are designed to lower demand, cut operating costs and support Qatar’s long‑term vision for sustainable development under Qatar National Vision 2030.

Qatar’s clean energy and emissions‑reduction strategy is framed by the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy and its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 while maintaining secure, reliable energy supply.

Key pillars include improving energy efficiency across sectors, expanding renewable energy such as large‑scale solar projects, and deploying technologies like carbon capture and storage in the energy and industrial sectors. Initiatives such as Kahramaa’s Tarsheed programme focus specifically on reducing electricity and water consumption in buildings and households.

Through these measures, Qatar seeks to support its National Vision 2030 by balancing economic growth with environmental protection, reducing the carbon footprint of its energy system and positioning itself as a responsible energy producer in a low‑carbon future.