PHOTO
17 August 2016
Kuwait has moved to assure residents the Gulf state's electricity grid can cope with the surge in usage as a result of this summer's heat wave, local newspaper Al Qabas reported on Tuesday.
The country's peak electricity load reached 13,390 megawatts (MW) this month, its highest level ever, Kuwait's ministry of electricity said in the report.
The new figure exceeds the previous peak electricity load record of 13, 310 MW, reached in July 17 this year.
The ministry attributed the surge in consumption to the intense heat which has afflicted the country this summer, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Heavy use of air-conditioning devices and networks has puts a major strain on the overall power consumption.
However, the ministry said the network was able to cope with the rising power demand and can accommodate a power load as high as 15,000 MW.
The first half of 2016 witnessed record temperatures worldwide, setting the earth on track for its hottest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
The United Nations agency also announced that it will set up a committee to examine whether a 54 degrees Celsius reported in Kuwait in July 21 is the new highest temperature ever recorded in Asia.
(Writing by Nada Al Rifai)
© Zawya 2016
Kuwait has moved to assure residents the Gulf state's electricity grid can cope with the surge in usage as a result of this summer's heat wave, local newspaper Al Qabas reported on Tuesday.
The country's peak electricity load reached 13,390 megawatts (MW) this month, its highest level ever, Kuwait's ministry of electricity said in the report.
The new figure exceeds the previous peak electricity load record of 13, 310 MW, reached in July 17 this year.
The ministry attributed the surge in consumption to the intense heat which has afflicted the country this summer, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. Heavy use of air-conditioning devices and networks has puts a major strain on the overall power consumption.
However, the ministry said the network was able to cope with the rising power demand and can accommodate a power load as high as 15,000 MW.
The first half of 2016 witnessed record temperatures worldwide, setting the earth on track for its hottest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
The United Nations agency also announced that it will set up a committee to examine whether a 54 degrees Celsius reported in Kuwait in July 21 is the new highest temperature ever recorded in Asia.
(Writing by Nada Al Rifai)
© Zawya 2016
