KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah on Monday chaired a meeting at Bayan Palace that discussed raising electricity production capacity by 74 percent to over 33,000 megawatts over the next six years. The meeting discussed ways to implement five major electricity and water desalination projects, in addition to two solar energy projects to achieve the target to meet Kuwait’s rising consumption.

Authorities in Kuwait resorted last year and early this year to programmed power cuts that covered tens of residential and industrial areas as consumption soared to record levels due to a hike in temperature above 50 degrees Celsius. The power cuts were implemented despite Kuwait importing around 1,000 MW from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) power grid to meet rising demand and because of a delay in implementing new power projects.

Kuwait’s current production capacity stands at 19,000 MW and the proposed projects are planned to increase production to 33,050 MW, the meeting was told. The prime minister stressed the importance of harnessing all resources and overcoming obstacles to implement the projects within the timeframe, including amending legislation to allow private companies to produce electricity. He expressed appreciation for efforts led by the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy and other bodies.

The discussions focused on key future ventures including Shagaya and Al-Abdaliya renewable energy projects, as well as Al-Zour North (phases 1 and 2), Al-Khiran (phase 1), Al-Nuwaiseeb (phase 1) and Subiya expansion power plants. The meeting was attended by Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Minister Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem and a number of senior officials.