In September 26, 2018, Salman Zafar wrote about the Renewable Energy Situation in Kuwait as follows.
The renewable energy sector is in nascent stages in Kuwait, however there has been heightened activity in recent years mainly on account of the need for diversification of energy resources, climate change concerns and greater public awareness. The oil-rich State of Kuwait has embarked on a highly ambitious journey to meet 15 per cent of its energy requirements (approximately 2000 MW) from renewable resources by 2030.
One of the most promising developments is the kick-starting of the initial phase of 2GW Shagaya Renewable Energy Park in December last year. As per conservative estimates, more than $8 billion investment will have to be made to achieve renewable energy targets in Kuwait.
And here we are 6 months later.
Kuwait inaugurates renewable energy park
KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) — The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) on Wednesday announced the full operation of the first phase of the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park in the northwestern governorate of Jahra.
The announcement was made by Samira Omar, director general of KISR, at the opening ceremony of the energy park which “has a capacity of 70 megawatts and is connected to the national electricity grid.”
The complex is composed of a solar thermal power station, a wind power station and a photovoltaic station, Omar said.
It is designed as a world-class facility with a mix of renewable energy technologies to maximize the efficiency of electricity production per square meter in the Kuwaiti desert, she added.
According to the Kuwaiti official, the complex can help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by 5 million tons per year.
Meanwhile, Khaled al-Fadhel, Kuwaiti oil minister, described the Shagaya project as a “pioneer” in the country’s ambition to provide 15 percent of its power needs from renewable sources by 2030.
