The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) has opened the pre-qualification round for the Al-Dabdaba solar project in Al-Shaqaya area of Al-Jahra Governorate. It is seeking bidders for phase 3 of the 1.1 GW Al-Dabdaba Electrical Power Generation Project and Al-Shaqaya Renewable Energy Project.
Power generated by the facility will be grid-connected under a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy.
The broad scope of work spans design, finance, build, operate and maintain the project. The request for qualification (RFQ) round is open to individual companies as well as consortia, within and outside of Kuwait. The consortium members will need to own a minimum of 10% equity during the duration of the request for proposals (RFP).
Working under the Renewable Energy Ministry, KAPP says this project is aimed at attracting private investment in renewable energy, reducing the financial and operational burden on the ministry, and reducing the local dependence on fossil fuels.
It will also bring down the total costs borne by the state for energy generation while expanding the share of renewable energy in the country's total energy mix, it added.
The last date to submit applications for this round is March 7, 2024, according to the call issued.
In July 2020, with COVID-19 related challenges for global oil and financial markets, Kuwait was reported by Reuters to have canceled the tender for the 1.5 GW Al-Dabdaba project. The tender was originally launched in September 2018 (see 1.5 GW Planned Kuwait Solar Project Scrapped).
Kuwait aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its total electricity mix to 15% by 2030. According to a 2022 report of the Global Energy Monitor, the country is expected to install 9.5 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030 (see 73 GW+ Solar & Wind Projects Planned In MENA).