Kuwait has approved plans for constructing a series of power facilities and other infrastructure-related projects at a cost of KD3bn ($9.9bn).
The proposed projects are expected to increase the country’s power generation capacity by 3,580MW.
Timelines for most of these project have not been set, although tenders were offered out at the beginning of August, reports official news agency KUNA.
Further details about project funding have not been revealed; however, Reuters reported that 50% of the projects’ financing will be raised through stock market offerings.
According to Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ansa Al Saleh, the schemes will involve support from both the private and public sectors, as the country is encouraging private sector participation in sustainable development.
The power projects are expected to support the country while, similarly to its neighbouring Gulf countries, it is trying to meet rising energy demands.
Kuwait’s plans include developing a second phase of the gas-fired Az-Zour North power and desalinated water facility, which has an initial power capacity of 1.8GW.
The facility is a part of the Az-Zour North Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP), which is expected to be developed over five phases, offering a total capability of generating 4.8GW of energy and 280 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of desalinated water.
The approved plans also include provision for developing the first phase of the Khairan power facility. This plant is expected to have a 1.5GW of power capacity, and will use multiple fuels for energy generation.
In addition, Kuwait has approved construction of the 280MWAl Abdaliyah power plant, which will generate 60MW of power from solar energy, with the rest to rely upon gas.
Kuwait Oil Minister Ali Saleh al-Omair had previously stated that the country intends to yield 15% of its power requirements from renewable sources by 2030. Also, it wants the first of up to 100 solar-powered fuelling stations to be operational by 2017.
