Electricity in Kuwait in 2024

In 2024, Kuwait's electricity consumption remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 97% of its electricity coming from these sources. Specifically, natural gas accounts for a little over half of the total electricity generation. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity makes up a tiny portion, at just over 2%. Wind energy contributes nearly 2% of the total electricity share, leaving solar and other clean energy sources to make up the rest. This deep reliance on fossil fuels raises concerns about sustainability and environmental impact, reinforcing the urgent need for Kuwait to explore more sustainable energy solutions.

Suggestions

Kuwait has several pathways it can explore to boost its low-carbon electricity generation. A significant step would be investing in nuclear energy, following the example of countries like France, Slovakia, and the United Arab Emirates. France excels in generating 68% of its electricity from nuclear energy, while the UAE has recently started to embrace nuclear power, contributing 20% of its electricity. Similarly, Kuwait can look towards expanding its wind energy capacity by taking inspiration from Denmark, where wind contributes over half of the country's electricity. By focusing on both nuclear and wind energy, Kuwait has a tremendous opportunity to transition towards a more sustainable electricity mix.

History

Kuwait has started its journey towards low-carbon electricity generation relatively recently. Throughout the 2010s, there was practically no increase in the generation of wind or solar electricity. However, in 2021, Kuwait saw a modest rise in solar electricity generation by a mere 0.1 TWh. The noteworthy shift came in 2022 when wind energy generation increased by 1.7 TWh, signifying an encouraging trend towards expanding its low-carbon infrastructure. Despite these small positive strides, Kuwait's history of low-carbon electricity generation is still in its formative stages, with much room for growth and improvement in the years to come.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources