Towards full realisation of Kuwait’s renewables potential

Kuwait

Ahmad Al Dousari, Director of the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Department at Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE), talks to The Energy Year about the key role that large-scale and decentralised solar will play in the country's renewables evolution. The MEWRE is the government body responsible for providing electricity and water in Kuwait.

This interview is featured in The Energy Year Kuwait 2025

Can you explain how your department is structured and what types of projects it oversees?
Our department manages three types of renewable energy projects in Kuwait: EPC turnkey projects under Law No. (49) of 2016, IPPs under Law No. (116) of 2014, and G2G [government-to-government] co-operations. Each has particular procedures and opportunities.
While the EPC and IPP models are well established, the G2G model is new to Kuwait. It is also rare in the region, which makes it an ambitious and challenging venture, but we have embraced it because it facilitates direct collaboration and can accelerate project delivery.
We play different roles depending on the project. For instance, we may act as project implementers, regulatory authorities approving private or government initiatives or collaborators with other governmental agencies. Our department not only handles major initiatives such as the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park but is also involved in medium- and small-scale projects that complement our broader energy goals. Additionally, we have started offering training programmes to upskill our engineers and provide long-term stability to our renewables strategy.

What prompted Kuwait to revise its renewable energy targets to 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050?
Kuwait’s original renewable energy target was 15% of the energy mix by 2030, set in 2012 and tied to our Paris Agreement commitments. At the time, we began several pilot projects to explore viable technologies and gauge environmental performance.
One of the key early efforts was the first phase of Shagaya, developed by KISR [Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research], which had 70 MW of renewable capacity combining solar PV, CSP [concentrated solar power], and wind. These trials offered valuable information. Wind and solar PV, including thin-film and polycrystalline types, have proved to be efficient even in Kuwait’s harsh climate.
Following the success of these pilots, projects expanded in size. KFAS [Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences] installed panels on 200 homes to evaluate rooftop solar potential, and solar was also fitted on our ministry buildings. Initial results prompted us to begin scaling up.
Our former minister, Salem Al Hajraf, recognised this momentum. He had prior involvement with KISR and Shagaya, and given load demand projections, we saw potential to exceed the original 15% target.
Also, seeing neighbours such as Saudi Arabia aiming for 50% by 2030 made us reflect. Kuwait shares similar financial capacity and climatic conditions, so we set a more ambitious roadmap to reach 30% by 2030, then progressing to 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050. This aligns with our broader national commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with renewables playing a critical role.

How much additional capacity is required to meet the 30% target?
We conducted a study with our National Control Centre and our Planning, Training and Information Systems Sector to forecast load demand through 2030. Factoring in average annual load growth of 4–7%, along with new cities and infrastructure, we built a model and aligned it with our project pipeline. It includes Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy (Phase III) Zone 1 through Zone 4, as well as various G2G projects and collaborations.
In total, we have about 5.1 GW in the pipeline. Zone 1 will add 1.1 GW, Zone 2 another 500 MW, Zone 3 a further 1.3 GW and Zone 4 will add 1.7 GW. To this, we must add G2G projects, our 1-GW collaboration with KOC and rooftop installations across government buildings. We also plan to incentivise private sector engagement. All these initiatives combined will push us to the 30% target, and possibly beyond.

What are your plans to diversify Kuwait’s renewable energy mix beyond solar?
Solar PV fits Kuwait’s peak energy demand well, especially during summer midday hours. That is why it currently dominates our portfolio. However, we incorporated wind in the first phase of Shagaya, and our long-term strategy includes expanding wind capacity, particularly in Kuwait’s northwestern corridor, where wind conditions are optimal. Wind has a large horizontal footprint, so many sites have prioritised solar, but after 2030, wind will be scaled up as part of our 2040 strategy.
We are also preparing to implement battery storage and grid-stabilising technologies. With nearly 5 GW of renewable capacity expected by 2028, grid support will be essential. Batteries won’t only address intermittency; they will play a role in active-reactive power compensation and overall grid reliability.

Can you comment on the 1-GW MoU signed with KOC in May 2024?
Our MoU with KOC is the result of months of technical collaboration. They aim to develop 1 GW of renewables for internal consumption across North Kuwait, West Kuwait and South-East Kuwait. These projects will be grid-connected and will use our infrastructure for power evacuation.
What is notable is that this MoU also signals future ambitions. KOC is targeting 17 GW in the long term, spanning solar, wind and green hydrogen. We are now working on feasibility studies, connection logistics and financial planning for the first gigawatt.

What role can smaller projects play in reaching the national goals?
They are essential. Projects such as the 20.5-MW installation at the Kuwait International Airport, the 117 MW installed on government building rooftops, and solar PV projects in public and private buildings collectively add substantial capacity.
Additionally, the 48-MW PV Project at Sabiya Power and Distillation Plant taps unused water reservoirs, showing how smart land use can boost renewable integration. There are 13 different locations, each with up to 12 reservoirs, and each reservoir can generate up to 9 MW, with total estimated generation reaching up to 350 MW. These decentralised projects contribute significantly to the 30% goal while also building technical experience across diverse project types.

Where does green hydrogen fit into your long-term roadmap?
Green hydrogen is a strategic priority, but not for immediate deployment. Hydrogen readiness rests on the availability of land for renewable energy and of water for electrolysis. The power side is feasible, but water remains a bottleneck. We are studying alternative water sources, such as grey water or treated wastewater.
Financial feasibility is another key point. Hydrogen is capital-intensive, so we are taking time to align investment with cost declines and demand signals. Notably, Kuwait has already invested USD 3 billion in Oman’s Hydrom project through the KIA [Kuwait Investment Authority], showing our serious interest in this space.

What is the MEWRE’s strategy to attract international companies to participate in Kuwait’s energy transition?
Projects such as Shagaya have already drawn interest from TotalEnergies, ACWA Power and others. The government offers long-term PPAs – some up to 30 years – ensuring financial certainty and making Kuwait a reliable investment destination.
We also pursue competitive power pricing and have recently published specifications for rooftop solar installations. By opening up the market and standardising requirements, we hope to attract more developers, increasing competition and quality.

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