UNDP Kuwait Energy Outook Project- Kuwait's Energy Future

Kuwait City, 17 February 2019 – Today, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has launched the first edition of the Kuwait Energy Outlook (KEO) – an annual, evidence-based review of Kuwait’s energy production, usage and demand. The report is the first of its kind in the Gulf region, and puts forward recommendations to create a more sustainable, energy-efficient and diversified economy and society in Kuwait.

For the first edition, KISR’s Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC) collaborated with the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This year’s Outlook highlights and analyses three main challenges Kuwait is facing in sustaining its prosperity – the need to diversify its oil-dependent economy, stimulate efficient usage of energy, and further develop the country’s potential renewable energy sources.

In addition, the report calls for improved collaboration between Kuwait’s key energy players across the public and private sector, to better facilitate the collection and analysis of energy data in Kuwait.
Investing in these changes will benefit not only Kuwait’s environment, but will also have a positive impact on its economy and society, ensuring prosperity for generations to come.

Following her opening remarks, Dr. Samira A.S. Omar, Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), said: “In the past fifty years, KISR has been at the forefront of energy research in Kuwait, and today’s launch of KEO symbolizes the next step in Kuwait’s energy planning. We are looking forward to further discussing our findings and recommendations with policy-makers, in order to move towards a diversified, sustainable and energy-efficient society and economy.”  

Dr. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD), commented that: “GSSCPD is proud to support the launch of the first Kuwait Energy Outlook; the first of its kind in the GCC and an important project for our nation’s future as we work towards the goals of Kuwait Vision 2035.”

Dr. Edward Christow, UNDP Resident Representative, underscored the importance of the first Outlook: “In line with the UNDP’s mission to support the people of Kuwait in their realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, we are delighted to see KEO assume the role of a catalyst for Kuwait’s economic diversification and encourage cooperation between key energy stakeholders in Kuwait.”

The Energy and Building Research Center at KISR based its thorough data analysis on a specific Long Range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model, developed by the KISR team in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute in the United States. This model will serve as a foundation for examining energy efficiency and renewable energy policies in Kuwait going forward.

Following the publication of the first Outlook, KISR has established the Kuwait Energy Policy Center, which has been tasked with the creation of future editions of the annual report.