"The strategic decision to build and operate a world-class aluminium smelter in Qatar is based on a sound energy and operational background," Hilde Merete Aasheim, head of Hydro's Primary Metal business area, said during a recent visit to the construction site in the Mesaieed industrial park not far from Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

Aasheim's objective is to stay close to the progress of the Qatalum project, which is a 50-50 joint venture between Hydro and Qatar Petroleum. The overall construction work is 90 percent finished and on schedule.

Apart from supporting the people involved in the Qatalum project towards achieving their goal, Aasheim was very impressed by the ethnic diversity and high level of competence.

"Compared to my first visit in April, there are so many more people on site now. I am impressed by Qatalum’s ability to have recruited so many top professionals who will contribute towards making Qatalum world class," she said.

A detailed walk through the entire plant took her the better part of four hours, covering all its primary components from the carbon plant to the power plant and the port.

“Most elements of the plant are nearly complete and one must see the sheer scale of Qatalum to believe it," she points out.