In 2025, Kuwait’s electricity consumption was supplied entirely by fossil fuels, with gas accounting for about 58%—more than half—and other fossil sources providing the remaining 42%. Low-carbon sources supplied none of its electricity in the reported data. This complete dependence on fossil electricity highlights the opportunity to develop clean generation while reducing the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Kuwait?

Kuwait’s latest figures do not show growth relative to its historical peaks, although these comparisons alone do not establish the recent trend in total electricity consumption. Electricity consumption reached about 16,600 kWh per person in 2025, roughly 3,500 kWh below the 2006 record of about 20,100 kWh per person—a decline of around 18%. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at zero per person, compared with a record of about 414 kWh per person in 2022. This retreat in clean electricity is concerning: expanding low-carbon generation would help Kuwait meet future electricity demand from electrification and growing AI infrastructure.

Suggestions

Kuwait should prioritize solar and nuclear electricity, drawing on successful regions with relevant conditions. The nearby United Arab Emirates generates about 20% of its electricity from nuclear power, offering a particularly relevant regional example, while France demonstrates how nuclear can supply roughly two-thirds of electricity. For solar, Kuwait can learn from Jordan, where solar supplies about 15%, and sunny US states such as Nevada and Arizona, where it contributes about 35% and 19%, respectively. Large solar projects and rooftop installations, complemented by nuclear generation, could build a strong clean electricity system. Kuwait could also assess suitable wind locations, learning from Morocco, where wind supplies about 20% of electricity.

History

Kuwait’s reported low-carbon electricity history shows little change through most of the 2010s: the listed solar and wind entries from 2013 through 2020 all record zero annual change. Growth appeared in the early 2020s, with solar generation increasing by 0.1 TWh in 2021 and wind generation rising by 1.7 TWh in 2022. Wind showed no change in 2021, while solar showed no change in 2022 or 2023. These figures mark an encouraging but brief period of expansion; the zero low-carbon generation reported for 2025 underscores the need to restore progress and sustain a much larger clean electricity buildout.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade