Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Qatar Electricity Demand and Load Forecasting: Preparedness of Distribution Networks for Emerging Situations

Omar Jouma El-Hafez, Tarek Y. ElMekkawy, Mohamed Kharbeche and Ahmed Massoud
Additional contact information
Omar Jouma El-Hafez: IPP Contracts and Agreements Engineer, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Doha P.O. Box 41, Qatar
Tarek Y. ElMekkawy: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
Mohamed Kharbeche: Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
Ahmed Massoud: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several global challenges, one of which is meeting the electricity demand. Millions of people are confined to their homes, in each of which a reliable electricity supply is needed, to support teleworking, e-commerce, and electrical appliances such as HVAC, lighting, fridges, water heaters, etc. Furthermore, electricity is also required to operate medical equipment in hospitals and perhaps temporary quarantine hospitals/shelters. Electricity demand forecasting is a crucial input into decision-making for electricity providers. Without an accurate forecast of electricity demand, over-capacity or shortages in the power supply may result in high costs, network bottlenecks, and instability. Electricity demand can be divided, typically, into two sectors: domestic and industrial. This paper discusses the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on Qatar’s electricity demand and forecasting. It is noted that students’ and employees’ attendance are the restrictions with the highest impact on electricity demand. There was an increase of nearly 28% in the domestic peak due to the attendance of 30% of school students. Furthermore, in this study, historical data on Qatar’s electricity demand, population, and GDP were collected, along with information on COVID-19 restrictions. Statistical analysis was used to unfold the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results and findings will help decision-makers and planners manage future electricity demand, and support distribution networks’ preparedness for emerging situations.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Qatar electricity demand; forecasting; electricity meters; distribution networks; emerging situations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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