Kuwait to generate 5,700 MW of renewable energy with new projects, valued at 1 billion dinars.

KUWAIT CITY, May 15: Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kuwait Oil Tankers Company (KOTC) Sheikh Khaled Al-Sabah has announced that Kuwait is now producing 16 million gas cylinders annually using solar energy through the Umm Al-Aish and Shuaiba plants, which have a combined production capacity of seven megawatts without using electricity from the national power grid. This is considered a significant move towards using solar energy to generate electricity in order to reduce reliance on electricity loads. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony for the conversion of production in both plants to solar power, Sheikh Khaled Al-Sabah affirmed that this step is in line with the strategic plan of the country to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. He described the project as a vital part of the ongoing effort to reduce reliance on conventional energy and limit environmental impact.

He also highlighted the aspiration of the company to expand its oil tanker fleet, which currently includes 31 vessels. He revealed a comprehensive strategy is being developed and will be announced soon, reaffirming that KOTC continues to meet all marketing demands and remains a key player in the energy logistics of the country. He added the shipping operations of KOTCH remain stable, even amid global trade tensions, thanks to strategic planning for crisis scenarios. He confirmed that the current trade war has not affected the markets of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). “Our distribution and marketing operations are built on long-term, strategic relationships,” he asserted; while stressing the commitment of the country to fulfill all international contracts. He added Kuwait maintains a strong overseas presence with seven million barrels of oil stored in Asia — three million in Japan and four million in South Korea. He disclosed that KPC has a comprehensive strategic plan to study markets and market needs, determine development capacity and increase vessels based on market data.

Asked about the merger of the two gas plants into the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), he confirmed that the integration of the Umm Al-Aish and Shuaiba gas plants into KNPC is moving forward as per an ambitious plan. He said KNPC currently provides gas to KOTC tankers, highlighting the synergy between national entities. On the other hand, Director of the Projects and Maritime Agency Group at KOTC Yousef Al-Khamis stated that the solar energy conversion project cost around KD1.9 million; indicating this investment is expected to save about 16,000 barrels of oil annually and generate 11,000 megawatts of clean energy; thereby, easing pressure on the national electrical grid. Al-Khamis also unveiled the plan to establish a third gas cylinder factory in Kabad, while the two existing plants can meet domestic demand until 2030. He said the expansion is part of the company’s long-term strategy. He also addressed concerns about misuse of household gas cylinders by restaurants. “We are coordinating with the Cooperative Societies Union and the Ministry of Commerce to implement mechanisms that prevent restaurants from using cylinders designated for residential use, instead of commercial cylinders,” he added.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, May 15: In a bid to strengthen cooperation and partnership for the largest joint project between two Gulf states in the field of refineries and petrochemicals, the management of Duqm Refinery — owned by Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) and the Omani OQ Oil Group — intends to increase the refining capacity of Duqm from 255,000 to 270,000 barrels per day in the next two years, say Omani sources.

Sources disclosed that the management is considering increasing capacity without the need for investment or financing; given the strong demand for Duqm Refinery products, as its products are clean and high-quality like diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas, sulfur and petroleum coke. Sources stated that the management welcomes the recruitment of the largest possible number of Kuwaiti youths — both male and female — to work at the refinery.

They revealed that around 32 to 40 Kuwaitis are currently working at the refinery — out of a total of 750 employees from 32 nationalities. They are hoping that the number of Kuwaiti employees will increase, considering Kuwait is a key partner of the refinery. They said the Kuwaiti employees at the refinery have proven their competence and dedication to their work. “To fulfill the demand to attract more Kuwaiti employees, the management recently opened recruitment opportunities for fresh Kuwaiti graduates in the fields of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, Business Administration and Computer Engineering,” sources confirmed.

Sources said the requirements for Kuwaiti job applicants are as follows:

Sources stressed that applicants, who do not meet the conditions, will be excluded; adding that in case of the same results between more than one candidate for the job, the criteria for comparison will be oldest age, first to obtain the qualification, and a married person is preferred over the single person, provided they meet the required general graduation average, and pass the English language test and aptitude test. Sources said the refinery management opened the door for receiving applications until May 24.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff 

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, center, speaks with the media at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, England following the announcement from the Office for National Statistics that the UK economy grew by 0.7% between January and March on May 15. (AP)

LONDON, May 15, (AP): The British economy grew at its fastest rate in a year during the first quarter of 2025, official figures showed Thursday, in a welcome boost to the Labour government, which has made lifting the country’s growth its top priority. The Office for National Statistics said growth, as measured by gross domestic product, increased by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year from the final three months of 2024, with the country’s dominant services sector doing particularly well.

The first quarter increase makes the British economy the fastest-growing among the Group of Seven leading industrial nations. Growth was modestly ahead of market expectations for a 0.6% increase. It was also the biggest increase since the first quarter of 2024, when the economy expanded by 0.9%. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves welcomed the growth leap, and said the figures showed the choices made by Labour since it was elected last July were beginning to pay off.

“We’re set to be the fastest growing economy in the G-7 in the first three months of this year and that’s incredibly welcome, but I know that there is more to do,” she said while on a visit to a Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, northern England. Most economists think is likely to slow down in the second quarter of the year, partly because of the global uncertainty generated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Though most tariffs were paused for 90 days following the ensuing market turmoil, including the 10% baseline tariff applied to U.K. goods entering the U.S., the backdrop for the global economy remains highly uncertain, particularly if the U.S.-China trade war persists. Some of that uncertainty, with regard to the British economy, lifted Thursday when both Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer separately outlined details of a trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K.

Though Trump kept the 10% baseline tariffs on U.K., he agreed to reduce the levies on British autos, steel and aluminum. Sanjay Raja, chief U.K. economist at Deutsche Bank, said the growth uptick will likely be short-lived, especially during the second quarter when trade uncertainty will be at its peak. “Exporters will likely see reduced demand as well from higher U.S. tariffs and weaker global demand,” he said. Economists said growth will likely falter in the second quarter as new taxes on business were imposed in April. Also a raft of price rises during the month, including domestic energy and water bills, are expected to keep a lid on consumer demand.