Billion-dinar renewable energy projects on the horizon for Kuwait
Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Mahmoud Bushehri stated that renewable energy is expected to account for 30 percent of total production within four years during the 24th meeting of the Regional Council for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
• Kuwait has two major renewable energy projects: one in collaboration with China in Shagaya to generate 3,000 MWs and another with the Public-Private Partnership Authority for 2,700 MWs, each taking two to two and a half years to implement.
Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Mahmoud Bushehri, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, announced that the estimated value of renewable energy projects is around one billion dinars, with expectations that renewable energy will account for 30 percent of total production within four years, according to Al Jaridanewspaper.
During the opening of the 24th meeting of the Regional Council for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which is being held for the first time in Kuwait with representatives from several Arab countries, Bushehrirevealed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with private sector companies to supply the ministry with energy.
In a statement on the sidelines of the meeting, Bushehriexplained that there are two major renewable energy projects in Kuwait: the first, in cooperation with the Chinese side in the Shagaya area (phases three and four), aims to generate 3,000 megawatts, while the second is a project in partnership with the Public-Private Partnership Authority with a capacity of 2,700 megawatts, noting that the implementation of each project takes two to two and a half years.
He pointed out that the discussions during the two-day meeting address ways to achieve a balance between traditional and renewable energies, with the goal of raising the percentage of renewable energy to 30%-50% of total production.
The meeting will focus on energy efficiency in various sectors, including residential buildings, economic institutions, industry, commerce, investment, and agriculture. He emphasized that enhancing energy efficiency contributes to rationalizing use and preserving this vital resource.
Carbon neutrality
He noted that improving energy efficiency, in conjunction with the expansion of clean energy, will help achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the country’s efforts to combat climate change.
The meeting will also discuss direct investment in renewable energy, localizing modern technology, and training national cadres, with expectations of producing actionable decisions and policies.
Bushehri stated that independent supplier projects could include renewable energy initiatives, adding that a memorandum of understanding was signed with several private sector companies to provide the ministry with energy, where these companies will produce electricity, and the ministry will purchase the production from independent suppliers.
