Kuwait Receives Bids for 400 kV Transmission Line to Link Al Shaqaya Solar Power Station

In a major move toward enhancing its renewable energy infrastructure, Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy has received proposals for the construction of a 400 kV Overhead Transmission Line (OHTL). This project is designed to connect the Al Shaqaya Solar Power Generation Station with the Al Wafra (Z) main substation.

Among the bidders, Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has emerged as the lowest bidder, quoting a price of KWD 41.45 million—approximately USD 135.2 million.

The OHTL project plays a critical role in Kuwait’s broader renewable energy ambitions. It forms a vital extension of the Shagaya Renewable Energy Project, a visionary initiative led by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). This project marks Phase I of a master plan that aims to generate around 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from renewable sources by the year 2030.

Back in 2015, KISR took the lead in launching the Shagaya Renewable Energy Project. This first phase laid the groundwork for Kuwait’s clean energy future with the installation of:

• A 50 megawatt (MW) Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant (commissioned in December 2018)
• A 10 MW Wind Farm (commissioned in May 2017)
• A 10 MW Photovoltaic (PV) plant

The Shagaya Renewable Energy Park was officially inaugurated in February 2019, signaling a new era in the nation’s sustainable development strategy. The 50 MW CSP plant, developed under an EPC contract awarded to a joint venture between Spain’s TSK and Kuwait’s Kharafi National, has the distinction of being Kuwait’s first commercial CSP facility.

Spanning an impressive 250 hectares, the CSP plant is designed to generate about 180 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. In doing so, it will help cut down carbon dioxide emissions by more than 81,000 tons each year, supporting Kuwait’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

As the government moves forward with integrating large-scale solar power into the national grid, the new 400 kV OHTL connection between Al Shaqaya and Al Wafra is expected to be a key enabler in delivering clean, reliable energy to more parts of the country.