Electricity in Kuwait in 2024
In 2024, electricity consumption in Kuwait overwhelmingly relies on fossil fuels, making up almost 98% of the total energy mix, with natural gas contributing just over half of this fossil-generated electricity. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy sources, which include options such as wind and solar, account for a mere 2%. Wind power does show some presence, yet it still comprises less than 2% of the overall electricity generation. Given the urgent global need to pivot towards sustainable energy to combat climate change and reduce air pollution, Kuwait's reliance on fossil fuels indicates a significant area for improvement and transition towards cleaner electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in Kuwait?
When considering the growth of electricity consumption in Kuwait over the years, there seems to be a concerning downward trend. The latest data for 2024 indicates a per capita electricity consumption of 18,183 kWh, which is a decrease of roughly 1,946 kWh from the historic peak reached back in 2006. Likewise, the enthusiasm for low-carbon electricity generation appears to have waned, as evidenced by a minor drop in low-carbon electricity generation per capita from its peak in 2022, declining by 18 kWh. The stagnation in both overall and clean electricity consumption points to a missed opportunity for Kuwait to advance its electricity infrastructure in alignment with global sustainability trends and rising demands from technological advancements like AI.
Suggestions
To address these challenges, Kuwait should look to expand its low-carbon electricity generation by exploring both nuclear and solar opportunities. The success of countries such as Slovakia and France in utilizing nuclear energy to contribute around 64% and 69% of their electricity, respectively, offers Kuwait a roadmap for harnessing nuclear power effectively. Additionally, the significant wind energy contributions observed in states like Iowa and South Dakota, where it's responsible for 60% or more of the total electricity, suggest that increased investment in wind and solar infrastructure could enhance low-carbon electricity generation. Learning from these successful regions and incorporating both solar and nuclear energy into the grid can help Kuwait transition towards a more sustainable energy future.
History
Historically, Kuwait's journey with low-carbon energy saw very little progress until the early 2020s. The years leading up to 2021 saw no measurable change in wind or solar generation, marking a period of stagnation. However, in 2021, a modest growth in solar capacity did occur with a 0.1 TWh increase, although wind remained static that year. In 2022, there was a notable shift with wind energy growing by 1.7 TWh, yet solar showed no further increases. This recent growth in wind is encouraging, yet to impact its energy portfolio substantially, Kuwait must sustain and amplify these developments, especially in solar and nuclear energy sectors, to secure a resilient and clean electricity future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.