The government of Kuwait has announced Phase One of the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park project. The Shagaya Solar Energy Plant is part of the first phase and is being jointly developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and the Ministry of Electricity and Water.

It is expected to generate 70MW of clean power.

According to a report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the project was launched by the Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Dr Khaled Al Fadhel, alongside celebrations marking the National Day and Independence Day, as well as the 13th anniversary of His Highness the Amir’s assumption of power.

Phase Two of the project is expected to produce 1,500MW of power via Solar Photovoltaic (PV) generation, while Phase Three will be designed to generate 1,500MW of energy from multiple clean energy technologies. The final phase is expected to add 1,000MW of electricity to the park’s total output.

Once fully complete, the solar park could save 12 million barrels of oil per annum for Kuwait.

The Shagaya Solar Energy Plant is expected to create 10,000 jobs during the development phase, as well as 1,200 during operation and maintenance.

The project will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions of 196,000 tons annually in the first phase, and five million tons once the final phase is over, the report said.