Kuwait Oil Tanker Company’s (KOTC) Umm Al Aish LPG Filling Plant has received an array of green certifications from the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD). Most notably, the plant has been awarded the Net-Zero Energy Certification, along with certifications in energy efficiency and sustainable operations under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), as well as Arcadia Certification for energy centers efficiency. The awards were presented during an official ceremony held at KOTC headquarters in Kuwait.

KOTC is now the first-ever entity in the Middle East to receive GORD’s Net-Zero Energy Certification for an industrial facility. The certification recognizes the ability of Umm Al Aish LPG filling plant to balance its total energy consumption with renewable energy production onsite over a 12-month period. The Net-Zero Energy Certification acknowledges that the Plant’s PV solar facility generates enough renewable energy annually to offset the entire energy drawn from the grid, resulting in a net energy use of zero.

Shaikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting CEO of KOTC, said, “Receiving these prestigious certifications from GORD, for our Umm Al Aish LPG Filling Plant, is a significant milestone for KOTC that reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability. Our collaboration with GORD has been invaluable in achieving these goals, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in the oil and gas sector toward a greener future."

The event was attended by GORD’s Founding Chairman, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, who handed over the certificates and plaques to Shaikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting CEO of KOTC, in the presence of the company’s engineers involved in this project.

Commending KOTC's pioneering efforts, Dr. Yousef Alhorr stated, “Presenting KOTC with the first-ever Net-Zero Energy Certification alongside the impressive green building awards, is a moment of pride not just for KOTC but the whole nation, setting an ambitious benchmark for the industry in line with Kuwait Vision 2035."

In addition to this pioneering accomplishment, KOTC’s Umm Al Aish LPG Filling Plant has garnered several other green building recognitions including GSAS Operations under GORD’s Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The Management and Administration Building within Umm Al Aish Plant has been awarded GSAS Operations Gold Rating, while the Social Building has received GSAS Operations Silver Rating, underlining KOTC’s strong commitment to sustainable building operations.

Another milestone celebrated during the awarding ceremony was Arcadia certification for the chilled water plant within the Umm Al Aish LPG Filling Plant that has received Bronze rating. The Arcadia certification, a specialized accreditation, rigorously evaluates and acknowledges the energy performance and efficiency of District Cooling Plants (DCPs) and on-site chilled water systems, recognizing their contribution to sustainable practices aligned with global environmental standards.

Highlighting the significance of KOTC’s latest certifications, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, added, “Given the MENA region's significant energy demands, dependence on fossil fuels, and the intensifying impacts of extreme weather, the path towards a sustainable energy future presents distinct hurdles. KOTC's decisive implementation of cutting-edge solutions demonstrates that a successful energy transition is not only possible but achievable across diverse industrial sectors. Through the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and climate-smart strategies, we can collectively work towards ensuring a more environmentally secure future for generations to come."

These achievements are part of KOTC's strategic direction towards a net-zero future. This collaborative effort included detailed energy audits, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, and the application of GORD's advanced energy simulation tool, Energia Suite, to assess and optimize energy performance. The resulting insights allowed GORD to provide tailored recommendations that will help KOTC further reduce energy consumption and operational costs, bolstering their journey towards greater energy efficiency and overall sustainability.

As part of this comprehensive initiative, KOTC also proactively sought energy labels for various buildings within the Umm Al Aish LPG filling plant. Consequently, nine different buildings at the site have now received energy performance labels, providing valuable insights into their energy efficiency and guiding future energy-saving measures.