Electricity in Kuwait in 2024
In 2024, the state of electricity consumption in Kuwait reveals a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, accounting for almost 98% of the total electricity produced. Of this, natural gas plays a predominant role, constituting more than half of the total electricity generation. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy sources, which are crucial for reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability, contribute only a small fraction, at just over 2% of the overall electricity generation. Within this category, wind energy contributes nearly 2%, while other low-carbon technologies, like solar, seem to play an insignificant role currently.
Is Electricity Growing in Kuwait?
Regarding the growth in electricity consumption in Kuwait, there seems to be a downward trend. In 2024, the total electricity consumption per person is approximately 18,183 kWh, which is significantly lower than its peak of over 20,000 kWh per person in 2006. This reflects a decline of nearly 2,000 kWh per person. Similarly, recent statistics show a drop in low-carbon electricity generation, with per-person consumption of clean energy decreasing slightly from its peak in 2022. These figures suggest a concerning stagnation or reduction in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption per capita in Kuwait.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Kuwait could look toward successful regions that have embraced solar, wind, and nuclear energy. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia have led the way by generating a substantial proportion of their electricity, over 60%, from nuclear energy. Similarly, states such as Iowa and South Dakota generate a considerable portion of their electricity - over 50% - from wind energy. Leveraging the abundant sunlight in the region, Kuwait can also take inspiration from countries like Lebanon and Cyprus, where solar energy contributes significantly to their electricity generation mix. Investing in solar and nuclear infrastructure can help Kuwait reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, decrease carbon emissions, and meet future electricity demands sustainably.
History
Examining Kuwait's history of low-carbon electricity, it's apparent that progress has been gradual but limited. For nearly a decade, from the early 2010s through 2020, there was virtually no increase in low-carbon electricity generation, highlighting a period of inactivity. However, a modest improvement began in 2021 with a slight introduction of solar capacity, followed by a more noticeable but still limited increase in wind generation in 2022. This slow pace suggests that while there are opportunities for growth, the current development is insufficient to significantly improve the low-carbon electricity share in Kuwait’s energy landscape. Encouragingly, this can serve as a foundation upon which further extensive developments can be built to transform Kuwait's electricity future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.