Kuwait Aims for Renewable Energy Surge but Faces Delays

Kuwait is ramping up investment in renewable energy to combat soaring demand, frequent blackouts, and aging power infrastructure. Currently, renewables make up less than 1% of electricity generation, but the government targets 15% by 2030, with natural gas serving as a transition fuel. However, Rystad Energy projects the country will likely fall short, reaching only 7% by 2030. A 15% renewable share is seen as more achievable by 2035, with capacity expected to exceed 11 GW, supplying around 20% of Kuwait’s power needs.

Renewable Energy and green tech

Kuwait has 21 GW of installed capacity, but only 17 GW is reliably available due to maintenance and outdated plants. With temperatures climbing above 50°C, demand peaked at 17.7 GW in July, forcing early scheduled blackouts and unplanned outages. Despite challenges, analysts note Kuwait’s vast solar potential — more than 3,300 hours of sunlight annually — could make solar PV a cornerstone of future energy security.

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