Maintenance of power stations to begin in the middle of the current month
With the gradual decline in temperatures and a relative decrease in consumption rates, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy is preparing to launch its annual routine maintenance season for the components of the electricity and water networks, starting from the middle of the current month, in preparation for the summer of 2027.
Sources familiar with the matter at the Ministry stated that the maintenance program will cover electricity and water production units and desalination plants, aiming to enhance the readiness of the production system and ensure its capacity to handle high loads during the upcoming summer, particularly given the country’s significant rise in temperatures and the accompanying record-high consumption rates.
The sources clarified that there is continuous coordination between the Power Stations Sector and the Control and Monitoring Centers Sector to determine the schedules for taking units and desalination plants out of service and returning them, according to a program that considers network needs and load volumes, as well as the time required to carry out maintenance for each unit.
They noted that Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Muhaidib and Deputy Minister Dr. Adel Al-Zamil are closely monitoring the maintenance program on a daily basis to assess progress and ensure adherence to specified timelines, thereby guaranteeing the readiness of production units before the onset of next summer.
The sources added that the drop in temperatures has begun to ease pressure on the electrical system, following a summer season during which the country experienced temperatures ranging between 49 and 50 degrees Celsius. They pointed out that the Ministry successfully avoided resorting to scheduled power outages during the current summer.
They highlighted that emergency teams responded to unplanned outages quickly and efficiently, alongside efforts by the Control and Monitoring Centers Sector to manage electrical loads, which contributed to maintaining grid stability during peak periods.
In a related development, the Ministry is preparing a detailed media report outlining the key measures and steps taken during the current summer, particularly those related to conserving electricity and water consumption, as well as the results achieved through these initiatives.
The sources explained that the report will also include the highest electrical load recorded by the grid during the summer, along with water consumption rates, comparing them with consumption figures from previous years. This aims to evaluate the system’s performance and utilize the findings to prepare for upcoming seasons.
