KFAS unveils ambitious US$390B Energy transition roadmap for Kuwait by 2060

KUWAIT CITY – The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) has unveiled an ambitious energy transition roadmap that aims to transform Kuwait’s energy sector by 2060.

With a projected net economic benefit of $390 billion, the roadmap outlines a comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner energy systems.

Dina Al-Naqeeb, Director of the Research and Technology Activation Department at KFAS, highlighted the foundation’s leading role in advancing sustainable development through energy projects.

Over the past decade, KFAS has spearheaded multiple initiatives to foster energy efficiency and reduce the country’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

Al-Naqeeb explained that a dedicated team, collaborating with key stakeholders including Hartree Partners, the Petroleum Corporation, and the Ministry of Electricity, developed a detailed white paper outlining Kuwait’s energy transformation.

This marks Kuwait’s first comprehensive roadmap for energy transition, targeting key energy-consuming sectors such as electricity, transportation, and oil—which collectively account for 70% of the country’s energy consumption.

Al-Naqeeb emphasized that successful implementation will require close cooperation between government bodies, the oil industry, and the private sector.

The roadmap is divided into four phases, beginning with establishing regulatory frameworks by 2030 and culminating in adopting advanced renewable energy technologies by 2060.

One of the roadmap’s focal points is solar energy. Al-Naqeeb noted that if photovoltaic solar cells had been installed in 200,000 homes in recent years, the additional 1 GW of energy generated could have alleviated pressure on the national grid and reduced power outages.

KFAS has been instrumental in funding energy research, second only to healthcare projects in allocation over the past five years.

Among its initiatives is a collaboration with Kuwait University and the Belgian Research Institute for Microelectronics (IMEC) to develop perovskite solar cells to improve solar energy efficiency in Kuwait’s unique climate.

Other projects include the development of nano-coatings to reduce energy consumption in buildings and creating an interactive dashboard to monitor energy sector performance in Kuwait.

Looking ahead, KFAS plans to collaborate with the University of California, Berkeley, on direct air capture technologies, further advancing Kuwait’s capabilities in carbon reduction.

In addition, the foundation has supported several key policy documents, including the 2018 Energy Security Strategy, the 2021 National Hydrogen Economy Strategy, and the 2022 Suburban Cooling Strategy.

Al-Naqeeb stressed that Kuwait has the opportunity to achieve multiple objectives through its energy transition efforts, including securing sustainable energy sources, creating new markets, generating employment, and enhancing Kuwait’s global position on climate change.

KFAS continues to support model projects to improve energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings and has backed solar energy initiatives at various locations across Kuwait.

Al-Naqeeb concluded by stating that the foundation’s role extends beyond project implementation. It seeks to stimulate innovation and support scientific research to foster a knowledge-based economy in Kuwait.

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