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No electricity reserves in Kuwait, warns MEW official

KUWAIT: A summer power crisis seems imminent, with Kuwait's power stations already running at almost full capacity and the temperatures and consumption levels continuing to rise in tandem. With the country having no electrical reserves, the conditions seem ripe for serious problems and major power cuts.

Yesterday's electricity consumption rates reached 10,900 megawatts of the total 11,100 megawatts available, far higher than the previous day, according to a Ministry of Electricity and Water ( MEW ) official. The official attributed the steadily rising electricity consumption rates to the searing temperatures, which have already crossed the 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) mark, and to a smaller degree on the current school exam period.

The temperature at noon [on Tuesday] reached 50 degrees Celsius in Kuwait City and 53 degrees Celsius in the desert, a record temperature increase," the MEW official told the Kuwait Times in a telephone interview yesterday. These stifling temperatures see air conditioning units across the country switched to full power, putting far greater pressure than usual on the country's power grid.

The country's lack of reserve electrical supplies and steadily rising population magnify the problem still further, the official explained, with Monday's electricity usage rates reaching the highest levels seen in the country in 20 years, and being outpaced by yesterday's. By comparison, the official explained, the highest consumption level recorded for one day last summer was 9,900 megawatts, which has already been exceeded by 1,000 megawatts this year.

Another reason behind the extremely high consumption levels is the current exam period at local schools, with 1,000 of the country's schools currently hosting final exams for intermediate and senior pupils, the official continued, claiming that the schools' use of theaters and sports halls as examination facilities has put heavier-than-usual pressure on the national power grid.

At present, all the country's power stations are working well, the official stressed, voicing optimism that the scorching outdoors would not cause any problems in the electrical supply. "We hope that the ministry won't experience any problems or obstacles during this hot summer," the official said, although he explained that some areas had experienced power cuts because of the extra-high electricity consumption levels there and the ageing generators and other equipment being used. "There are around 28,000 transformers across Kuwait's governorates, so it's normal that some break down," he asserted.

Meanwhile, MEW Undersecretary for Planning and Training Dr. Meshaan Al-Otaibi called upon all Kuwait's residents, both citizens and expatriates, to help the ministry by reducing their electricity consumption rates, especially during peak hours. "People should switch off unnecessary equipment and appliances in their homes between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM and adjust the temperature of their air-conditioning to reduce power consumption, especially if they're travelling outside the country," Dr. Al-Otaibi continued, adding, "These precautions will help in saving power so we can avoid facing the introduction of scheduled power cuts.

Many areas have already witnessed unscheduled power cuts in recent days, including Salmiya, Messila, Hawally, Sabah Al-Salem, Rawdha, Al-Qaser, Al-Salam, Sabahiya, Fintas and the chalets area in Bnaider and Khairan. Al-Otaibi also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of various ministries and government bodies, including the Ministry of Education, for introducing power-saving measures, such as turning off lights, air-conditioning equipment and other appliances in unused offices and buildings and in all facilities outside working hours.

The education ministry has already shortened kindergarten hours, which now finish at 11:00 AM, while the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is also introducing a program of power-saving measures and switching off the electrical supply to wedding halls and other facilities while they are not being used.

Al-Otaibi appealed to other bodies and companies to adopt similar power-saving measures, saying, "Other ministries and companies should also cooperation with the [MEW] to save power by switching off unneeded lights and other appliances. They should also adjust the air-conditioning temperature as this will effectively help to save power.

By Nawara Fattahova

© Kuwait Times 2010