Al-Mikhaeeem: National Electricity Grid to Pass Summer 2026 Efficiently

Dareen Al-Ali

Dr. Subaih Al-Makhzoum, Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, stated that Kuwait’s power system concluded the summer of 2026 with a peak electricity load of 17,540 megawatts, a decrease of 70 megawatts compared to the summer of 2025, which recorded 17,610 megawatts. This marks the second consecutive year of declining peak electricity load.

Al-Makhzoum explained that this indicator reflects a continuation of the trend that began in the summer of 2025, when peak load decreased for the first time compared to 2024, which stood at 17,640 megawatts. This demonstrates a positive trend in consumption efficiency, despite ongoing urban, demographic, and economic expansion, as well as the addition of new electrical loads to the grid.

He clarified that the additional electrical loads resulting from connecting power to new facilities amounted to 1,059 megawatts during the period from summer 2024 to summer 2025, and 1,019 megawatts from summer 2025 to summer 2026, totaling 2,078 megawatts from summer 2024 to summer 2026. Despite this, the peak load in summer 2026 was lower than levels recorded in the summers of 2024 and 2025, underscoring the impact of efforts to enhance energy efficiency and improve consumption patterns, particularly during peak hours.

Al-Makhzoum emphasized that measures taken to manage electrical loads during the summer season directly contributed to alleviating pressure on the power system, especially during peak periods. These measures included reducing working hours in government entities by one hour, halting factory operations during peak hours, and implementing the national campaign for saving energy and water (“Waffir”), along with its media and awareness efforts to promote a culture of conservation and reduced consumption. He commended the cooperation of citizens, residents, government and private entities, and media outlets, which supported load management. He confirmed that these measures effectively reduced electricity demand during peak hours, thereby supporting service continuity and the grid’s capacity to meet the country’s needs during periods of highest consumption.

Al-Makhzoum noted that the summer of 2026 occurred under exceptionally difficult circumstances due to regional developments and malicious Iranian attacks on parts of the power system. These attacks targeted several electricity generation and water desalination plants, fuel storage tanks, and overhead lines, causing several generation units and system components to go offline and affecting certain production and operational capacities.

He explained that the repercussions of these conditions also extended to routine and preventive maintenance programs, as some works could not be carried out according to the scheduled timelines. Maintenance work on several units was affected but was gradually completed by the end of August. Despite these unusual operational conditions and the resulting technical damage, unit outages, and disruptions to maintenance schedules, the Ministry’s teams and technical staff worked around the clock to repair damages, restore affected units and facilities to service, and maintain system readiness. This enabled the Ministry to ensure service continuity and meet the country’s needs throughout the summer season.

On the awareness front, Al-Mikhaeeem praised the significance of the national energy and water conservation campaign (Wafar) in stabilizing the electricity and water systems during the summer of 2026. He noted that the campaign directly contributed to maintaining service continuity by fostering community engagement with conservation messages, reducing unnecessary consumption during peak hours, and thereby alleviating pressure on the power grid during the most challenging periods. He added that the campaign expanded its community presence throughout 2026 through partnerships with government and private entities, implementing programs, lectures, activities, and awareness messages targeted at various segments of society. This helped strengthen the culture of responsible electricity and water use and entrenched the concept of shared responsibility in preserving the nation’s resources.

Dr. Subaih Al-Mikhaeeem emphasized that the results of the summer 2026 season confirm that conservation is no longer merely an awareness issue, but has become a key complementary element to the state’s plans for enhancing the security and sustainability of the electricity and water systems. He stressed that sustaining these results requires integrated efforts among government institutions, the private sector, and individuals, as well as the entrenchment of prudent practices throughout the year.

Al-Mikhaeeem affirmed that the Ministry is concurrently implementing strategic projects aimed at increasing electricity and water production capacities, developing transmission and distribution networks, and expanding renewable energy projects to meet the state’s future needs driven by urban, population, and economic growth. He pointed out that several strategic projects are now in their final stages with the Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority, paving the way for their implementation.

Al-Mikhaeeem clarified that as the period of reducing and lowering factory production lines to ease electrical loads concludes today—measures that began on May 14—the school year has started at the Ministry of Education. This development necessitates intensified preparations to ensure grid stability and meet the needs of schools and educational facilities.

The Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy expressed his deep appreciation for national cadres and all Ministry employees across various sites, stations, monitoring and control centers, and emergency departments. He commended their exceptional efforts, dedication, and sense of responsibility amid the unusual operational conditions the country experienced. He also extended his gratitude to citizens, residents, government institutions, and the private sector for their cooperation and responsiveness to conservation messages. He reaffirmed that preserving and sustaining the nation’s resources is a shared national responsibility, and that every contribution plays a role in enhancing resource efficiency and supporting their sustainability for future generations.