Dr. Adel Al-Zamel during the GCC Power 2025 Conference ribbon-cutting ceremony.

During his opening remarks at the GCC Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition on Monday, Al-Zamel disclosed that the expected storage capacity of the project ranges from 1,000 to1,500 megawatts. He said the anticipated implementation in 2027 will be in two phases, based on the needs of the country. Regarding electricity and water tariffs, he indicated that this matter is still under study, affirming the commitment of the ministry to consider those with limited income to ensure they are not negatively affected, while protecting national resources from waste and modifying the excessive consumption patterns of certain segments of the population.

On the Gulf electrical interconnection, Al-Zamil said there is an agreement in place to purchase power from the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), from which Kuwait has benefited through the reduction of its energy production costs. He added that another agreement is planned for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. He stated that the ministry is nearing completion of a new interconnection line with the Gulf electricity grid to increase import capacity, indicating the project is expected to be completed this month.

About the law on purchasing power from third parties, he expects it to be issued soon. He said the law is linked to several regulations and decisions pertaining to the economic structure of the electricity sector, from power purchases to consumption tariffs and encouraging private sector production. He expects remarkable achievements in this area in the coming period. He stated that the ministry aims to produce around 4,500 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030, focusing on reducing pollution levels and encouraging investments in the sustainable energy sector amid a noticeable decline in renewable energy costs.

Al-Zamel also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to develop smart grids and adopt modern technological solutions to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions, supporting Kuwait’s sustainable development goals and future vision. He underlined that the electricity and water sector in GCC countries faces significant challenges, starting with rapid population and economic growth, rising demand for power and water, and the need to balance sustainable development with environmental protection - in addition to the technical challenges associated with the shift toward clean energy and digitalization.

The undersecretary said the GCC Power Conference and Exhibition serves as a distinguished platform for sharing expertise, showcasing innovative solutions, and discussing best practices in the areas of power systems planning, operation, maintenance, grid interconnection, renewable energy integration, and artificial intelligence in network management, among other key topics that shape the future of the regional energy sector. He stressed that Kuwait firmly believes that the future of energy in the Gulf relies on integration, cooperation, and continuous development, adding that the success of this conference represents a collective success for all GCC states. “We look forward to seeing the conference sessions and scientific discussions generate constructive ideas and practical visions that will support the sustainable development journey in our countries and open new horizons for investment and innovation in the energy sector,” Al-Zamel said. For her part, Chairperson of GCC CIGRE and Conference President Engineer Athari Al-Mohammad said that the event, hosted by Kuwait, brings together an elite group of experts, researchers, and decision-makers from across the Gulf amid major developments in the energy sector.

Al-Mohammad added that the conference aims to foster constructive dialogue on the challenges facing Gulf power systems and to promote innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency. She explained that GCC CIGRE is a regional branch of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE), which works to support scientific research, encourage technical knowledge exchange, and contribute to developing solutions that ensure energy sustainability across the Gulf region. Meanwhile, Secretary-General of CIGRE International Philippe Adam stated that the organization seeks to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise in the power systems sector among experts from around the world. Adam noted that the conference provides a unique opportunity for technical professionals to share their experiences as operators, developers, innovators, or manufacturers of electrical grids and related equipment. CIGRE’s global support extends beyond organizing events, encompassing coordinated collective work aimed at consolidating and disseminating knowledge through technical publications accessible to all members, he added. Adam concluded that these publications are the fruit of the ongoing voluntary work of more than 300 working groups, supervised by 16 study committees within the organization.