Utilities

Kuwait: Partnership potential

With the recent addition of a new 1400-MW power plant, Kuwait appears ready to meet the increase in electricity demand that occurs every summer. Government authorities are also planning to bring additional capacity on-line over the next few years, with the private sector expected to play a major role in this expansion. According to estimates from the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), peak demand for power is expected to increase at a rate of 6-8% per annum over the next few years, reaching 14,256 MW by 2014. Peak demand usually occurs in the summer, when heavy use of cooling systems can strain the power grid. According to some estimates, air conditioners account for around 70% of Kuwait’s peak power demand. However, no electricity shortages are expected this summer. In March the assistant undersecretary of planning and training at the MEW, Mishan Al Otaibi, told the audience at the second Kuwait Electricity Conference and Exhibition, “Although we expect the increase of power consumption to be about 9% compared to last year, there will not be a shortage. Last year electricity consumption reached 11,000 MW and it is expected to reach 12,000 MW this summer. By the beginning of June the new power station will be operating according to our work plan.” Indeed, in late June the first phase of the new power plant at Sabiya, around 100 kilometers north of Kuwait City, came on-line. Six gas-powered turbines have been activated, which will be able to generate 1400 MW of electricity, equivalent to roughly 10% of Kuwait’s current total capacity. Beyond Sabiya, a number of other plants are in the works. Al Otaibi told local press in March 2011 that some KD2 billion ($7.3 billion) would be spent on power production projects that will be completed within the next three years, including new plants at Al Zour and Khairan. According to MEW projections, the country’s installed capacity will increase from 14,593 MW in 2011 to nearly 17,000 MW in 2014. Moreover, the government is eager to involve the private sector in this expansion. As Al Otaibi said during his opening remarks at the event in March, “The MEW is keen on joining the private sector in building and developing these new power stations, as the private sector is very important in Kuwait.” Source: Oxford Business Group

Jordan receives financial, technical bids for nuclear reactor

Jordanian authorities have received financial bids for the construction of the country's first nuclear reactor, as part of its peaceful nuclear program, Petra has reported. Russian Atomstroy Export, Canadian AECL and a consortium comprising French firm AREVA and Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have already submitted their technical bids to the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission JAEC. A special committee formed by the cabinet will study both the technical and financial bids and select the best technology in December this year. Source: AMEInfo

Kuwaiti-Chinese oil complex to cost $9bn

China's ambassador to Kuwait has revealed that a Kuwaiti-Chinese oil complex, which will be built in the southern Chinese city of Zhanjiang, will cost a total of $9 billion. He has added that the two-way trade exchange increased markedly to $8.5 billion last year. Over 30 Chinese companies are participating in economic development in Kuwait, and Kuwait has opened a new investment office in China, he said. Source: Kuwait News Agency

Saudi Electricity, Japanese firm launch Saudi solar plant

An executive at Saudi Electricity has said that a joint venture with Japan's Showa Shell Sekiyu to operate a 500-kilowatt (kW) solar power plant in Saudi Arabia has begun, Reuters has reported. Amer Al-Swaha, head of Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects at SEC added that the pilot plant, located on Farasan Island, southwest Saudi Arabia, is expected to reach full capacity later this month. ""The power load in the island is more than 25 megawatts (MW). This (project) is modest but it is only a start and we will evaluate it to see whether to expand,"" according to Al-Swaha. Source: AMEInfo

UAE set to issue global tender for nuclear fuel purchase

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (Enec) is planning to issue an international tender to buy nuclear fuel needed to begin operating the country's nuclear plants. The nuclear regulator will agree to contracts for obtaining the uranium, converting it and enriching the fuel for use in its plants' nuclear reactors. The UAE has said it expects to start its first nuclear power plant in 2017. Source: Reuters