(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- The Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD) and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) have jointly launched the inaugural Kuwait Energy Outlook.
Addressing the launching ceremony, SCPD Secretary-General Khaled Mahdi said Kuwait's first-of-its-kind energy report is part of cooperation between Kuwait, represented by the SCPD, and the UN Development Program (UNDP).
This cooperation includes the issuance of this report on Kuwait's energy vision for years to come regarding production, conversion and consumption, he said.
It is meant to transfer global expertise to participating government agencies and to clinch strategic partnerships with relevant world organizations, contributing to boosting the capability of the national energy sector for diversifying sources and using alternative energy, he added.
The SCPD chief pointed out several initiatives enshrined in the national development plan, purposed to diversify energy production and save its usage and take renewable energy share up to roughly 15 percent of local power output by 2030.
On her part, Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Samira Omar hailed the inaugural Kuwait Energy Outlook as an important resource that will provide officials, the private sector and researchers with reliable scientific evidence to forecast Kuwait's energy future.
"For UNDP, our work on energy corresponds to the main targets of SDG7 on energy: to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services; to work with countries to make energy systems and usage more efficient; and to work to increase the global share of renewable energy. Through these efforts, countries can make progress against each of the SDGs, while contributing to global climate action," she said Kuwait has made significant progress towards these targets, especially in terms of human development, but several challenges remain to ensure the sustainability of those gains in the longer term, she added.
Already, a great success in diversifying energy resources has been recorded, most notably in the installation of solar energy panels in public buildings, the planning of large solar energy plant in Shagaya, and new initiatives to reduce energy consumption per capita in buildings, Omar boasted.
In addition, diversification of energy resources and reduction of energy consumption per capita will directly contribute to achieving SDG7 on energy, SDG13 on climate change and SDG12 on sustainable consumption, and in the long run, it will indirectly contribute to SDG8 on decent work and economic growth, she noted.
A critical step towards achieving these goals will be the strengthening of institutional capacity in Kuwaiti institutions to develop and implement a National Strategy and Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, the KISR chief added.
She went on to say the Government is already implementing several measures that focus on achieving the objective of reaching 15 percent of energy supplies from renewables, in addition to making progress through campaigns that promote energy efficiency.
To sustain the momentum, an integrated framework is needed to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce consumption per capita, she urged.
In recognition of the challenges facing the energy sector and the current national development priorities, UNDP, the GSSCPD and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) have collaborated closely on the preparation of Kuwait Energy Outlook, Omar affirmed.
In line with the UNDP's mission to support the people of Kuwait in their realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, we are delighted to see KEO take on the role of a catalyst for Kuwait's economic diversification, she said. encouraging cooperation between key energy stakeholders in Kuwait.
She concluded by saying that the UNDP is proud to be the strategic international partner for the Kuwait Energy Outlook, which is designed to support the country to meet its national developmental priorities. (end) fnk.fh.mt
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