The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a $3 million grant agreement on July 21 to support a solar energy project aimed at enhancing public services in Lebanon. The agreement was formalized in Kuwait City by KFAED Acting Director General Rasheed Al-Bader and UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait Emma Morley.
The initiative focuses on improving the sustainability and reliability of electricity supply at priority public institutions across Lebanon by installing photovoltaic solar energy systems and implementing energy efficiency measures. According to Al-Bader, the project is designed to reduce Lebanon’s dependence on diesel generators, lower operational costs, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services. Additionally, it aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional energy sources, promoting more sustainable energy use.
Key components of the project include the installation of solar power systems in beneficiary institutions, deployment of energy-saving technologies, and the provision of related equipment and infrastructure. A significant element of the program involves building technical capacity among personnel and relevant government authorities to enhance the operation, maintenance, and sustainable management of the new solar systems. Strengthening these maintenance arrangements is expected to maximize the project’s long-term benefits.
Al-Bader emphasized that the grant aligns with KFAED’s broader commitment to supporting sustainable development initiatives across Arab countries by improving infrastructure and strengthening public sector institutions. He highlighted the longstanding partnership between KFAED and UNDP, affirming the fund’s ongoing support to Lebanon amid current socio-economic challenges. The energy sector, he noted, remains a critical pillar in maintaining vital public services, and the project’s use of photovoltaic technology represents an environmentally sound approach to energy needs.
Morley underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing global development challenges, noting that the collaboration between UNDP and KFAED would reinforce public institution resilience, advance climate action goals, and generate economic, social, and environmental benefits. She remarked that the organizations have maintained a productive relationship over many years, working jointly to support sustainable development and build resilient communities.
To date, KFAED and UNDP have partnered on projects totaling approximately $15 million across various countries, reflecting a shared commitment to humanitarian assistance and sustainable development efforts in the region and beyond.