Electricity in Kuwait in 2023

Kuwait's electricity consumption in 2023 overwhelmingly relies on fossil fuels, with close to 100% of its electricity coming from these sources. Specifically, gas accounts for more than half of the electricity production. In contrast, low-carbon energy contributes close to none to the overall electricity generation. The absence of significant low-carbon energy sources means that Kuwait is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which has adverse implications for both the environment and public health due to the high levels of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuel combustion.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Kuwait can look towards successful examples from other countries that have embraced clean energy technologies. France, for instance, generates about 65% of its electricity from nuclear energy, showcasing the potential of nuclear power as a reliable and significant low-carbon electricity source. Similarly, Slovakia and Ukraine also generate large portions of their electricity from nuclear power, at around 62% and 55%, respectively. Additionally, Denmark and Uruguay have made substantial progress with wind energy, generating about 53% and 35% of their total electricity from wind, respectively. Kuwait, with its abundant sunshine and potential wind resources, could also harness solar and wind energy, taking cues from countries like Yemen and Jordan where solar power accounts for around 20% and 15% of the electricity generation.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Kuwait indicates a very slow progression towards sustainable energy sources. From 2013 to 2023, there were no significant developments in wind energy, with generation consistently remaining at zero. Solar energy showed minimal advancement; there were only slight increases in 2019 and 2020, each contributing 0.1 TWh, but this progress halted in subsequent years. This indicates that despite a decade of potential, there has been little to no effective implementation of low-carbon electricity generation. Moving forward, it is crucial for Kuwait to intensify its efforts and make substantial investments in clean energy technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel dependency and move towards a sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources