Electricity consumption in Kuwait heavily relies on fossil fuels, with close to 98% of electricity being derived from such sources, and just a small fraction from low-carbon energy. More than half of the total electricity generation comes from gas. On the low-carbon side, wind energy contributes almost 2%, which forms nearly all of the low-carbon electricity generation at 2.18%. The reliance on fossil fuels, particularly gas, poses environmental challenges such as climate change and air pollution, underscoring the need for a strategic transition towards cleaner electricity sources in Kuwait.

Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Kuwait?

Despite a high historical electricity consumption record set in 2006, recent data from 2024 indicates that electricity use per person in Kuwait has decreased to roughly 18,200 kWh. This marks a decline of around 1,950 kWh per person from the peak in 2006. The share of low-carbon electricity generation also saw a slight decrease from the 2022 records, falling by about 18 kWh per person. This trend is concerning, especially given the increasing global demand for more electricity to support advancements like AI and electrification, emphasizing Kuwait's need to enhance its efforts towards expanding electricity generation, particularly from clean sources.

Suggestions

Kuwait's potential to increase low-carbon electricity generation could be guided by strategies adopted by other regions. Notably, Iowa and Denmark have achieved significant success with wind energy, generating about 60% and 59% respectively, of their electricity from wind. Similarly, Nevada, Lebanon, and California have harnessed solar power effectively, creating a substantial share of electricity from solar. Learning from these examples, Kuwait could advance its efforts in wind and solar installations, leveraging its geographical advantages. Emphasizing solar energy is crucial given Kuwait's ample sunlight, while exploring nuclear energy can offer a reliable and steady supply, as demonstrated by countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes to a major portion of their electricity, signifying a path of sustainable energy development that Kuwait can follow.

History

Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity in Kuwait from the 2010s onwards reveals minimal progress in clean energy deployment, characterized by stagnation in wind and solar generation until 2021. The breakthrough came in 2021 with the first recorded increment in solar capacity, adding a modest 0.1 TWh, followed by a notable increase in wind energy generation by 1.7 TWh in 2022. However, since this growth has not been sustained, it highlights the need for a robust strategy and investment in low-carbon technologies to ensure continual progress. With strategic planning and execution, leveraging solar and potentially nuclear energy can help Kuwait meet its electricity demands sustainably, ensuring a cleaner and more secure energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade