TCE Consulting Engineers Limited, a subsidiary of Indian engineering giant Tata Group, will invest $12 million over the next five years at Qatar Science & Technology Park to develop engineering solutions for environmental challenges.

Initially the centre will focus on software that makes it faster and easier to design “green” buildings, and create a blueprint for a solar-thermal power station.  TCE will also use its engineering expertise to find practical applications for novel nanotechnologies.

“Buildings account for 40 per cent of energy consumption worldwide, so with the right technology we can make a real difference in this area” said A P Mull, chief of TCE Consulting Engineers Limited.

“Meanwhile most leading universities around the world are developing nano-particles, which have the potential to bring immense benefit to society.  We want to take the experimental work to the field in close cooperation with Qatar researchers and businesses” he added.

Opening at QSTP’s new R&D facilities in late 2008, TCE QSTP-LLC will grow to around 14 staff, half of whom will be researchers.

“Tata has some very exciting expertise in energy and the environment, two of QSTP’s strategic focus areas. We are proud to be partnering with them to bring these innovations to life and further grow Qatar’s knowledge-based economy,” stated Dr Tidu Maini, executive chairman of QSTP.-TradeArabia News Service