Al Abdaliya CSP solar park is the Kuwait's first solar power project; and an assessment of the 50MW CSP and 10MW PV solar power mix which forms part of the key components of Kuwait's strategy.
As local demand for oil increased by 67% over the past decade, Kuwait has pushed to implement a strategic sustainability initiative that seeks to generate 2,000MW of renewable energy by 2030. With one of the highest energy consumption rates per capita in the world, the average Kuwaiti uses 22 times more resources than the country provides per person, according to the latest data from the Global Footprint Network, putting immense pressure on the country's oil reserves. In response, Kuwait recently announced a plan to produce 15% of its total energy needs from renewable energy in the next decade and half, as part of a national sustainable strategy that will support its ongoing economic development initiatives.
At the forthcoming Kuwait Energy and Water Efficiency Conference, scheduled on June 2-4, at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, senior government officials and policymakers along with influential private sector stakeholders will debate and discuss the current roadmap for the country's sustainable use of energy and water resources. Organised by MEED, and supported by the Ministry of Electricity and Water, and KFAS, the event is envisioned to address Kuwait's unsustainable energy consumption practices, driven in large part by heavily subsidised electricity prices, an increase in local and expatriate population, a rise in economic activity largely generated around oil production and increased penetration of modern conveniences such as cars and electrical good has created a rising demand for energy which outstrips the oil rich country's current capacity.
Contributed
"Outdated infrastructure and the absence of an incentive structure to moderate energy usage have contributed to a difficult situation for the Kuwaiti government in planning for a sustainable future, prompting key government offices to collaborate on the conference to seek meaningful inputs that will lead to a more sustainable energy consumption usage in Kuwait. It is the only conference to address the need for sustainable energy solutions in Kuwait and will be the only forum where policy makers come together with industry leaders to continue the process of mapping an energy efficiency plan for the country," said Edmund O' Sullivan, chairman, MEED. Among the highlights of the first day of the conference will be the panel discussion on power production from nonconventional sources, providing an update on the $3.27bn Al Abdaliya CSP solar park: Kuwait's first solar power project; and an assessment of the 50MW CSP and 10MW PV solar power mix which forms part of the key components of Kuwait's strategy to achieve the 15% renewable energy target by 2030.
For projects stakeholders, the panel discussion will also provide details and strategic guidance on the pre-tendering phase for a 10MW wind power plant to be developed by 2017. In recognition of its significance as an important platform that could influence and shape Kuwait's sustainability programme, Kuwait Energy and Water Efficiency is being supported by key local and international organisations such as Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity and Water as well as Environment Public Authority; as well as the Clean Energy Business Council, Kuwait Green Building Council, Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association (SASIA), Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), Middle East Green Building Association (MEGBA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kuwait.
Concentrated Solar Power, Concentrating Solar Power, CSP, Concentrated Solar Thermal Power, solar power, solar energy, Desertec, MENA, Kuwait,