Kuwait has immense potential for solar energy production
Utilizing just 15 percent of the potential solar sites could exceed the current total annual power generation in Kuwait and ensure sustainable electricity supply for the foreseeable future.
A recent study by researchers at Kuwait University’s Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies reveals that around 14 percent of Kuwait’s total land area, or approximately 2,515 square kilometers of land, mainly located in Ahmadi and Jahra governorates are prime areas for solar energy production in the country.
The study gains added significance given the government’s keen interest to resolve Kuwait’s perpetual energy woes in summer The study further showed that a significant portion of the most suitable solar energy sites is located in the Al-Ahmadi governorate, accounting for around 80 percent of the total available space, while the remaining 20 percent is located in the Jahra governorate.
Importantly, the study indicated that utilizing just 15 percent of the potential solar sites could exceed the current total annual power generation in Kuwait and ensure sustainable electricity supply for the foreseeable future.
According to the study, the total electrical energy that could be generated from these optimal sites is estimated at 70.213 GWh/year, representing about 106 percent of Kuwait’s total electricity production in 2016, which was estimated at 65.950 GWh/year.
The study ascertained the most suitable locations for establishing solar power plants in Kuwait using geographic information systems (GIS), and based their modeling on four key spatial indicators—solar radiation levels, natural suitability, cost-effectiveness, and land availability. The study found that the most suitable sites for solar power systems are located in the western, central, and southern regions of Kuwait.
Considering the environmental impact of fossil fuels, many countries, including Kuwait and other Gulf nations, are making significant efforts to expand the use of clean and renewable energy sources to ensure energy diversification, transition to a green economy, and achieve sustainable development.
Renewable energy sources offer numerous advantages over fossil fuels, as they are typically free, widely available, and have minimal negative environmental impact. They are also among the most critical strategic alternatives for reducing environmental degradation and global warming caused by extensive consumption of fossil fuels. In addition, renewable energy sources have the potential to meet the global demand for energy in the future and to support sustainable development.
Kuwait’s electricity sector has experienced steady growth over the past three decades, with per capita electricity consumption rising from 11 MWh in 1995 to 17.1 MWh in 2020—a 55 percent increase within less than a decade.
It also emphasized that per capita electricity consumption in Kuwait is double that of some developed countries, such as Germany, where consumption is only around 7 MWh, and exceeds that of the United States, which is around 13 MWh per capita.
The study highlighted several challenges to expanding solar energy in Kuwait, the most significant being high temperatures, especially in summer, which negatively affect the efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems and reduce the electricity they can generate. It emphasized that addressing this issue requires further studies focused on improving the efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems under high-temperature conditions.
