PAHW advances renewable energy integration in housing projects

KUWAIT: Amid nationwide efforts to achieve sustainable development and enhance energy efficiency, the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) is integrating renewable energy into its infrastructure projects to improve electricity supply and road lighting, aligning with Kuwait Vision 2035. The PAHW has prioritized solar energy in its modern projects to achieve energy sustainability, rationalize consumption, and enhance quality of life in new residential cities. The “South Abdullah Al-Mubarak Suburb” project, completed in July in cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, marks a significant step in this direction.

The initiative will serve as a model for similar future projects in South Saad Al-Abdullah and South Sabah Al-Ahmad cities. Engineer Nasser Khuraibet, PAHW Deputy Director General for Planning and Design Affairs, told KUNA on Monday that the authority seeks to progressively diversify energy sources and integrate clean energy into all future projects. “Implementing housing projects with renewable energy confirms the Authority’s pioneering role in supporting Kuwait’s national transformation toward sustainable energy and developing modern residential infrastructure,” he said.

Lighting poles in the South Abdullah Al Mubarak Suburb project.

The South Abdullah Al-Mubarak Suburb project installed 434 solar-powered lighting poles of varying heights, compatible with urban design standards, out of a total of 3,164 poles — accounting for 13.7 percent of the network. The solar poles are expected to save 104,854 kilowatts of electricity, reduce operational and maintenance costs, lower carbon emissions and enhance system resilience during power outages. Engineer Fatima Hayat, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, highlighted that solar energy is applied through hybrid and standalone systems.

The hybrid system, combining solar energy with the conventional grid, ensures continuous lighting, while standalone systems operate independently in remote areas, such as Bubiyan Island and the road to Mubarak Port. Both Khuraibet and Hayat emphasized that the project represents a successful practical model for future residential developments, demonstrating the effective integration of renewable energy into Kuwait’s urban planning and contributing to the nation’s low-carbon and sustainable development goals. — KUNA