Electricity in Kuwait in 2024/2025
In Kuwait, the current state of electricity consumption paints a picture of heavy reliance on fossil fuels. From July 2024 to June 2025, all of Kuwait's electricity—100%—was generated from fossil fuels, with natural gas constituting the largest share, at about 58%. In contrast, there was an absence of low-carbon electricity generation, with no contribution from solar, wind, nuclear, or any other clean energy sources. This overreliance on fossil fuels underscores the pressing need for diversification of energy sources to more sustainable options, aligning with global trends toward cleaner energy solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in Kuwait?
Examining the growth trajectory of electricity consumption in Kuwait reveals a concerning trend. In 2025, the electricity consumption was 18,062 kWh per person, reflecting a decline from the historic high of 20,129 kWh per person in 2006. This represents a decrease of 2,068 kWh per person. Moreover, low-carbon electricity generation has completely diminished, moving from a previous record of 414 kWh per person in 2022 to zero. This situation is troubling as it signifies not only a stagnation but a regression in adopting cleaner electricity sources, which is crucial for sustainable development and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Kuwait can look to other regions that have successfully incorporated large shares of clean energy. For instance, France and Slovakia generate more than 60% of their electricity from nuclear power, showcasing the viability of nuclear energy as a stable, clean electricity source. Additionally, the success of wind energy in places like Iowa and South Dakota, both exceeding 60%, demonstrates the potential of wind power. Since Kuwait experiences abundant sunshine, solar energy, which constitutes a significant portion of electricity in countries like Lebanon at 31% and Nevada at 29%, offers another promising option. Implementing a mix of solar and nuclear energy would be a strategic approach to diversifying Kuwait’s electricity supply while reducing its carbon footprint.
History
Historically, the journey of low-carbon electricity generation in Kuwait has been marked by minimal progress. From 2013 to 2020, there was no recorded increase in solar or wind electricity generation, and only a marginal uptake in 2021 with a meager 0.1 TWh contribution from solar energy. The year 2022 brought a faint glimmer of hope with an incremental addition of 1.7 TWh from wind energy; however, this was not sustained into 2023. This historical pattern reflects a gap in strategic planning and investment in clean energy infrastructure, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive policy frameworks and an investment push to harness the potential of solar and nuclear energy effectively.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.