Kuwait eager to develop renewable energy

Rome: Kuwait pays great attention towards the environmental development and the management of power sources, said Kuwaiti Ambassador to Italy Shaikh Ali Al Khalid Al Jaber Al Sabah on Sunday. The diplomat’s remarks were made in his speech at an environmental forum entitled “The development of international energy scenario and its effects on environmental policies”, held in Italy. Kuwait is adopting plans to develop and rely mainly on “green” renewable and environment-friendly energy, said Shaikh Ali. The country is also conducting research and studies in the field, in order to protect the environment against pollution and limiting the emission of harmful gases..He also noted that all GCC countries are working on using renewable energy, adding that the UAE has become the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), located in Abu Dhabi. Kuwait’s participation in the event aims at presenting its achievements in the field, and is also a preparation to take part in the upcoming Expo Milano 2015 in May, under the theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, Shaikh Ali told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The Managing Director of Kuwait Petroleum Italia (Q8) Alessandro Gilotti, on his part, said that fossil fuel is considered as the most important source for energy in the next decades. Member states of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) will be owning the bulk of oil reservoirs around the world until 2040, despite the expected changes in demography and development, said Gilotti. Moreover, the official noted Kuwait’s efforts to develop its oil industry, raise the production rate up to four million barrel per day and play a bigger role in the international oil market. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which owns (Q8), is one of the top international companies in developing the production levels, he said. KPC is a big part of the Italian oil market, where the company’s capital value increased more than €4 billion (Dh15.9 billion) within 30 years in the European country, he also added. Meanwhile, Gilotti said Italian petroleum companies welcomed Shaikh Ali’s call to take part in executing environmental development plans in Kuwait, which seeks Italy’s expertise in renewable energy programmes.