Kuwait, China to build nation’s largest wastewater treatment plant

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (MNTV) — Kuwait is set to sign a contract with China in mid-October to construct the country’s largest wastewater treatment plant, the North Kabd facility, according to reports by Zawya.

The project will have the capacity to treat up to 1 million cubic meters of wastewater per day using advanced technologies. 

It comes as Kuwait continues to face difficulties in reusing treated wastewater, much of which is currently discharged into the sea due to storage constraints, infrastructure gaps, and quality concerns that limit reuse largely to irrigation.

The North Kabd plant forms part of a wider package of major development initiatives Kuwait is advancing with Chinese support, spanning the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, power and water plants, renewable energy and waste recycling projects, as well as new residential developments.

The partnership builds on agreements reached in 2023, when then-Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visited Beijing and signed several memorandums of understanding. Sheikh Meshal assumed the role of emir later that year in December.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Sameeh Johar Hayat said Kuwait is preparing to finalize additional contracts with China once feasibility studies are completed. 

Speaking after the 28th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Oversight of Chinese Projects, chaired by the prime minister, he confirmed that Kuwait has already notified Beijing of the start of contracting procedures for two renewable energy projects.

Hayat did not reveal the financial value of the wastewater plant or identify the Chinese state-owned company tasked with implementation, though local media reports have suggested State Power Investment Corp could be among the candidates.