Kuwait launches tender for 1.1 GW solar power project

The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects has launched the tender for the 1.1 GW Al Dibdibah and Al Shagaya Phase III Zone 1 solar project, targeting pre-qualified international companies and consortia.

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Kuwait advances in its energy ambitions with the official issuance of a tender by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy. This tender specifically concerns the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy Phase III – Zone 1 photovoltaic (PV) solar project, located within the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park (SREP) in Jahra Governorate, west of Kuwait City.

Pre-qualified companies and consortia

Two individual companies and four consortia were pre-qualified in August 2024 to participate in this major project. Among the contenders are the French company TotalEnergies Renewables and the Vietnamese group Trung Nam Construction Investment Corporation. Several international alliances were also retained, including major players such as the Saudi Arabian company ACWA Power partnered with Kuwait’s Alternative Energy Projects Company.

Another consortium comprises the Emirati company Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, more commonly known as Masdar, and local company Fouad Alghanim & Sons General Trading and Contracting. Furthermore, EDF Renewables, a subsidiary of the French EDF group, partners with Kuwaiti company Abdullah Al Hamad Al Sagar and Brothers Company and South Korean company Korean Western Power Company. Finally, the consortium led by the Chinese company Jinko Power, accompanied by Japan’s JERA and local company National Technology Enterprises Company, is also selected to submit an offer.

Technical scope of the project

The scope of this tender covers the full development of the project including financing, design, procurement, engineering, construction, as well as testing and commissioning. A 400 kilovolt (kV) power transmission substation is also planned as part of the project.

The pre-qualified companies and consortia have until 14 September 2025, before noon, to submit their technical and commercial bids. Following final selection, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will be signed with the ministry for a period of 30 years, effective from the project’s Commercial Operation Date (PCOD).

Ongoing related developments

This Zone 1 project directly follows the pre-qualification call issued in May 2025 for Zone 2 of the same solar park, which will have an installed capacity of 500 megawatts (MW). These current developments illustrate Kuwait’s structured approach to large-scale energy diversification, as the country intensifies renewable energy projects to meet increasing electricity demand.

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