Kuwait and Saudi Arabia sign MoU on cooperation in electricity and renewable energy

Kuwaiti officials, represented by the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, and Saudi officials, represented by the Ministry of Energy, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the fields of electricity and renewable energy in the capital, Riyadh, on Sunday. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral relations and open broader horizons for partnership between the two brotherly countries.

The Kuwaiti side was represented at the signing by Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Dr. Sabah Al-Makhzoum, while the Saudi side was represented by Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

In a press statement on this occasion, Dr. Al-Makhzoum emphasized that the signing of the MoU embodies the depth of fraternal relations between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and enhances the launch of a new phase of bilateral cooperation that supports the common interests and developmental priorities of the two brotherly countries.

He stated that "this memorandum represents an important step toward building qualitative partnerships that combine the capabilities and expertise of both countries, opening horizons for developing modern technologies, improving the efficiency of energy systems, and enhancing their sustainability."

He added, "We look forward to translating this cooperation into practical programs and joint initiatives that contribute to developing national capacities, localizing knowledge and technologies, and supporting energy security, thereby meeting the needs of development and the aspirations of future generations."

He clarified that the diverse areas of cooperation included in the memorandum, ranging from renewable energy and power grid interconnection to energy storage and smart grids, offer wide opportunities for exchanging expertise and developing solutions that respond to the rapid transformations in the energy sector.

Dr. Al-Makhzoum pointed out that cooperation in research, innovation, and digital transformation constitutes a significant pillar for updating infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and preparing national cadres for active participation.

He expressed his appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the joint efforts that contributed to preparing the memorandum, reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to continuing coordination with the Saudi side to activate areas of cooperation and achieve tangible results that benefit the two brotherly countries.

The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation that combines the development of electricity systems, expansion of renewable energy, enhancement of power grid interconnection, and electricity export, with a focus on energy efficiency, storage technologies, and smart grids.

This cooperation includes developing supporting infrastructure to provide electrical energy supplies, enhancing their reliability and sustainability, and opening fields for partnership between specialized companies in both countries.

The scope of the memorandum extends to solutions and technologies that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change, including carbon circular economy applications, alongside leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, and enhancing cybersecurity in the energy sectors.

The memorandum also enables the development of qualitative partnerships to localize materials, products, and services, and to develop related supply chains and technologies.

The memorandum includes the exchange of expertise and information, implementation of training programs and specialized visits, organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as conducting joint research with universities and research centers, thereby supporting knowledge transfer and capacity building for both sides.