EXCLUSIVE: Kuwait receives 60 prequalification entries for 1GW solar project

04 October 2017
Client has started evaluating prequalification entries for photovoltaic solar scheme

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), a subsidiary of state oil major Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), has received 60 prequalification entries for its planned 1GW solar energy project.

According to sources close to the project, the client received prequalification entries from 60 firms on 28 September and started the evaluation process on 2 October.

The contract will involve the design, build, operation and maintenance (DBOM) of a 1GW photovoltaic (PV) solar facility at the Al-Shagaya renewable energy complex, which is located 100 kilometres west of Kuwait City. The project owner had invited firms to submit prequalification documents by 7 September, but subsequently extended the prequalification deadline to 28 September.

MEED reported in January that firms had been invited to submit letters of interest (LoIs) for the planned 1GW Al-Dibdibah scheme, which will be located over a 32-square-kilometre site at the Al-Shagaya complex, and will have the capacity to produce 2,500 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity a year.

The US’ WorleyParsons has been appointed as the owner’s representative to assist with the tendering of the project.

The scope of works will include:

  • Design of the plant/s, including design specifications, layout and engineering drawings
  • Simulation model of projected output from plant, targeting 2,500GWh at year 25 of the project
  • Procurement of all components of the PV plant, including wiring, PV modules, inverters and control systems
  • Performance testing and commissioning of the PV plant
  • Operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant for a period specified by KNPC
  • Training of staff for operation of the plant following handover of facility after O&M period

In line with Kuwait’s vision for 15 per cent of its total energy to come from renewable resources by 2030, KPC is targeting for 15 per cent of the total electricity consumption by it and its subsidiaries to come from renewable resources.

The rest of the Al-Shagaya renewable energy complex is being developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (Kisr), in partnership with the Ministry of Electricity & Water (MEW). Germany’s Fichtner prepared the masterplan for the development and assisted Kisr and the MEW with the tendering process for the first three pilot projects.

In the first pilot round of schemes under the Al-Shagaya programme, Kisr tendered and awarded contracts for a 50MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, a 10MW wind farm and a 10MW PV solar facility.

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