Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects initiates a tender for the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy – Phase III – Zone 1 Solar PV project, aiming for a 1,100 MW capacity. The move accelerates Kuwait's transition to sustainable energy, inviting companies to participate and contribute to the country's renewable energy objectives.
Kuwait Launches Tender For 1,100 MW Solar Power Plant, Advancing Renewable Energy... Representational image. Credit: Canva
During the 1970s, Kuwait and through Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) explored the exploitation of renewable energy (mainly solar energy). The exploration was limited to research and development and few demonstration applications involving off-grid power generation and solar cooling projects.
Kuwait's energy system structure is relatively simple. The main demand sectors include power (electricity generation and potable water production), primarily an energy conversion sector, industry (chemicals, petrochemicals, and minerals and metals industries), transportation, and agriculture sectors.
Lost opportunities (so far) were the KPC and KNPC initiative of developing Shagaya Phase-2 (Al-Dibdibah) 1500 MW PV, and the Ministry of Education initiative to deploy PV systems on all public schools. Moreover, limiting the private investor stake to a maximum of 44% of the shares may repel foreign investments in Kuwait's power generation market.
Sustainable economic growth and environmental wellbeing are among the main priorities for the country. These goals can be reached when the competitiveness of Kuwait's economic system improves by being less dependent on oil export revenues. Kuwait's economy is highly reliant on a single commodity, i.e., oil.