Future Perfect

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nvironment

air

water

oceans

climate

change

• A feasibility study by Toyota Tsusho Corporation

to build a Solar Combined Power Station with a

total capacity of 280 megawatts – including 60

megawatts from solar source. The project was

tendered in March 2012

• A pilot study by KISR researchers, in collaboration

with consultant Lahmeyer International, to select the

best solar systems for Kuwait conditions. Based on

the study recommendations, MEW will build the first

power generation plant, with Phase 1 producing 10

megawatts of wind, 10 megawatts of photovoltaic (PV)

and 50 megawatts of concentrated solar power.

Green Buildings

In November 2010, KEPA formed the National

Committee of Green Buildings, which gathers together

all governmental ministries and organizations, academic

and research institutes, and private companies and

consultancy/engineering offices dealing with the Green

Buildings (GBs) concept.

The committee aims to lay the foundation for an appli-

cable scope concept for GBs in Kuwait, to establish a

local movement for GBs that are friendly to the environ-

ment, save energy and water and reduce GHG emissions

reducing, and to set a local code compatible with interna-

tional standards and backed by incentives to encourage

investment from individuals and the private sector.

As a member of the National Committee, the Kuwait

Municipality formed a committee in July 2011 to review

current construction codes and introduce a new code

for GBs. The National Committee has also formed

working groups to set and implement action plans and

programmes with specific time schedules and establish

GB culture and technology in Kuwait.

Goals for sustainability

In addition to the national goals and achievements

described above, a wide range of goals is planned to be

accomplished over the next five to ten years, including:

• Rehabilitating heavily impacted marine areas and

ecosystems

• Developing integrated management programmes/

systems for air quality, coastlines and chemicals

• Developing national schemes/programmes to reduce

GHG emissions

• Rehabilitating 17 closed landfills using modern

methods such as waste-energy technologies

• Ensuring environmental compliance of oil

companies through carefully planned programmes

• Enhancing proven oil and natural gas reserves

• Wide use of renewable energy as the main source of

power generation

• Establishing GB technology.

These goals provide compelling evidence of the

commitment of the State of Kuwait to the sustainable

development of its society and the protection of its envi-

ronment. Indeed, sustainable development has become

a way of life in Kuwait.

• The organic contents of soil in the areas irrigated with

RO-treated wastewater are higher than those from areas irrigated

with groundwater, indicating derivation of additional organic

matter from the treated wastewater.

The authors strongly recommend the use of RO-treated wastewater

in agricultural activities due to its ability to reduce and prevent

the deterioration of soil and groundwater. They also recommend

that the results of their study are used as baseline information for

a comprehensive scheme to conserve water resources, recharge

groundwater aquifers and sustain agricultural activities in Kuwait.

Renewable energy for power generation

The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) provides Kuwait with

electrical power and fresh (distilled) water supplies through five

power and desalination plants (PDPs) built along the Kuwaiti coast-

line. The plants are fuelled mainly by gas oil which is heavy and

high in sulphur content, thus providing a source of air pollutant

emissions, particularly sulphur dioxide.

Kuwait has one of the world’s highest per capita power and freshwa-

ter consumption rates, with growing demand for both. The estimated

total additional power load and amount of water required for State

projects up to 2020 are 10,000MG and 250 million imperial gallons per

day (MIGD), respectively.

Consequently, the Kuwaiti Government

plans to double the installed capacity to 26,000 MG of electricity and

1,000 MIGD of water by upgrading and building new PDPs.

MEW is also keen to develop alternative clean energy applications

to address the energy shortage, reduce the emission of harmful gases

and conserve energy. It has implemented and/or funded projects

including:

• Applying rooftop polyvinyls (PVs) to MEW and MPW buildings

(project tendered March 2011), and to old government and

school buildings (project tendered in March 2012)

Preliminary treatment and pumping station

Image: new edition of Utilities Developing Company publication (UDC, 2009)