‘Korean companies can be worthy partners to achieve Kuwait 2035’

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KOTRA, Embassy hold Seminar and Business meet with 11 companies

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: The Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the commercial section of the Embassy of The Republic of Korea held a Korea Electric Power Technology Seminar and Business meeting with Korea Electric Power Corporation and a delegation of 11 reputed companies in electric power technology at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday morning.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Dr Hong Young-ki, shared, “I believe there is unlimited potential in partnerships between Kuwait and Korea in this area. He hoped that the seminar and business meetings would open new business opportunities for both countries.” He pointed out that as the Kuwaiti government seeks to invest in infrastructure and upgrade the whole country in line with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s vision of New Kuwait 2035, Korean companies would make worthy partners. He shared that electricity was not only necessary to maintain the standard of living but also expand the economy further.

He commended the Kuwaiti people for being open-minded, practical and principled and Korean partners and expressed pleasure at the partnerships established between the two countries in different sectors. Increasing the capacity and diversifying the sources of electricity is something. He stressed that KEPCO is one of the best companies in the world in terms of technology and knowhow.

It is a dominant player in South Korea and is involved in 39 projects in 24 countries. Engineer Ahmad Alazemi, from the Private Sector Projects Department of the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and water presented its future projects.

Also representing the MEW at the event, were Eng Suhaila Marafie, Director of R&D and Planning and Eng Fuad Al Aon, Assistant Undersecretary for Power Station Projects. Alazemi in his overview of Kuwait’s peak demand and available capacity shared that peak load in 2017 amounted to 13,800 MW and he available and expected capacity stood at 16,475 MW.

For 2030, the peak load is expected to rise to 26,760 and the available expected capacity is estimated to stand at 29,711 MW. He shared that the water demand in 2017 stood at 474 MIGD with an available and expected capacity of 599 MIGD.

In 2030, demand will rise to 902 MIGD and it is hoped that capacities will reach 1116 MIGD. He informed that future generation and desalination expansion projects include Al Zour North Phase II & III, Al Kheran Power Station Phase I, Al -Khairan Power Station Steam Turbines phases II, Al Nuwaiseeb Phase I and New Shuaiba South, New Doha East Steam Turbines and Doha Phases I and II.

He shared that in line with HH The Amir’s vision to cover 15 percent of Kuwait’s peak load with renewable energy by 2030, several solar projects have been adopted as seen in parking areas, water heaters and street lighting, all government tenders shall include 15 percent reduction of the building energy demand using renewable energy and referred to the concentrated Solar Power plant, Al Shagaya Park, as a step in the right direction.

The KEPCO presentation focused on its profile, strengths and technologies beginning with the structure of Korean power market, major operators, status of facilities and sales and electrical quality.

KEPCO is involved in 39 projects in 24 countries that include nuclear, thermal, renewable, transmission and distribution, and resource projects. The benefits of automatic meter reading and its impact on distribution loss reduction were discussed along with the benefits of the distribution automation system.

The Smart Grid system was touted to bring about improvement of reliability, security function and effectiveness and prediction and prevention of fault along with providing demand management and optional service Carbon (CO2) emission reduction and prevention of global warming. The event also included one-onone business meetings with selected Korean companies and short technical presentations.

By Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 11610 times!