Al-Makhzoum: Power grid passed "Summer 2026" with efficiency and safety

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

Dr. Al-Makhzoum added that this indicator reflects a continuation of the trend that began in summer 2025, when peak electricity 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 and the addition of new electrical loads to the grid.

He clarified that the electrical loads added due to 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 electricity load in summer 2026 was lower than levels recorded in summers 2024 and 2025, underscoring the impact of efforts to enhance energy efficiency and improve consumption patterns, particularly during peak hours.

Dr. Al-Makhzoum emphasized that measures taken to manage electricity loads during the summer season directly contributed to alleviating pressure on the power system, especially during peak hours. These measures included reducing working hours in government entities by one hour, suspending factory operations during peak hours, and implementing the National Campaign for Energy and Water Conservation (Wafra), along with its media and awareness efforts to promote a culture of conservation and reduce consumption. He commended the cooperation of citizens, residents, government and private entities, and media outlets, which supported electricity 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.

Dr. Subaih Al-Makhzoum noted that the summer 2026 season occurred under exceptionally difficult circumstances due to regional developments and Iranian aggression against parts of the power system. These attacks targeted several power generation stations, desalination plants, fuel storage tanks, and overhead lines, causing several generation units and system components to go offline and affecting some production and operational capacities.

He explained that the repercussions of these conditions also extended to routine and preventive maintenance programs, as some scheduled maintenance works could not be carried out as planned. Maintenance for several units was affected but was gradually completed by the end of August.

Despite these unusual operational conditions and the resulting technical damages, unit outages, and disruptions to maintenance schedules, Ministry 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, Dr. Al-Makhzoum praised the importance of the National Campaign for Energy and Water Conservation (Wafra) in stabilizing the electricity and water systems during summer 2026. He stated that the campaign directly supported service continuity through public engagement with conservation messages and the reduction of unnecessary consumption during peak hours, which helped alleviate pressure on the power grid during the most challenging periods.

He added that the campaign expanded its community presence in 2026 through partnerships with government and private entities, implementing programs, lectures, activities, and awareness messages targeted at various societal segments. This reinforced the culture of responsible electricity and water use and solidified the concept of shared responsibility in preserving the country’s resources.

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

Dr. Al-Makhzoum confirmed that the Ministry is simultaneously implementing strategic projects aimed at increasing electricity and water production capacities, developing transmission and distribution networks, and expanding renewable energy projects to keep pace with the country’s future needs and urban, demographic, 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.

He explained that “as the period of reducing and lowering industrial production lines to ease electricity loads, which began on May 14, concludes today, the academic year has started in the Ministry of Education. This requires intensified preparations to ensure grid stability and meet the needs of schools and educational facilities.”

In conclusion, the Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy expressed his deep appreciation for national cadres and all Ministry workers across various sites, stations, monitoring centers, and emergency centers. 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, state institutions, and the private sector for their cooperation and responsiveness to conservation messages. He emphasized that preserving the country’s resources and ensuring their sustainability is a shared national responsibility, and that every contribution plays a role in enhancing resource efficiency and supporting their sustainability for future generations.