Kuwait’s first solar park to be built for US$3.27 billion

A contract has been signed for the first solar power plant to be built in the Gulf state of Kuwait, a 280MW solar thermal power plant in Al-Abdaliya.

According to a report from the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Ministry of Finance’s Technical Office for Examining Development Projects and Initiatives signed a contract with HSBC, which offered consultancy for the Al-Abdaliya project.

The CSP plant, located south west of farming region Kabad, is the first solar power facility in the fossil fuel-rich nation. The Technical Office for Examining Development Projects and Initiatives also announced that it would float the venture for public tender under the country’s public private partnership programme (PPP).

Concentrated solar power (CSP) website CSP World reported that the site is projected to cost KD 926.25 million (US$ 3.27 billion) with the plant utilising a parabolic trough.

The consultancy contract with HSBC marks the first involvement in state development strategy in Kuwait by a private company. In December 2012, Kuwait set itself a target of generating 15% of energy by renewable sources by 2030.