Power grid strains under record demand as temperatures soar in Kuwait
Emergency measures enacted as power outages hit some areas; long-term solutions under consideration.
• Kuwait’s electricity demand reached an all-time high, straining the power grid.
• The surge in demand was attributed to soaring temperatures and increased consumption.
• The Ministry of Electricity has implemented emergency measures to address the crisis.
Kuwait’s electricity grid was pushed to its limits on Tuesday as soaring temperatures and increased consumption led to an unprecedented surge in demand. The electricity demand index soared to a record high, nearing critical levels, reports Al-Qabas newspaper.
At 2 PM, the electricity demand peaked at over 17,640 megawatts, coinciding with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius.
In response, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy activated its emergency teams, deployed backup generators, and placed technical teams on high alert to monitor the main and sub-networks.
Power outages were reported in parts of the Jabriya area, specifically in Block 8, due to the failure of two sub-feeders at the main substation. However, emergency teams were able to quickly restore power.
A senior ministry source revealed that the Ministry’s leadership held an urgent meeting to address the surge in demand and develop a comprehensive emergency plan for power generation plants and main and sub-networks.
The source emphasized the need for long-term solutions to meet the growing demand for electricity, particularly in light of urban expansion, new city developments, and ongoing infrastructure projects.
In order to address the immediate crisis, the ministry has taken several temporary measures, including expediting the signing of long-overdue maintenance contracts and ordering new mobile power generation units. Additionally, a comprehensive four-year crisis management plan is being developed to prevent future disruptions.
The ministry has also implemented scheduled power cuts in some agricultural areas to manage overall consumption.
Concerns about a repeat of the widespread power outages experienced on June 20 have been rising.
The previous outage was attributed to the inability of power generation plants to meet the surge in demand during peak hours, coupled with higher temperatures compared to previous years.
To mitigate the impact of high demand, the Ministry of Electricity has urged consumers to conserve electricity, especially during peak hours between 11 AM and 5 PM.
