Gulf Power Company's electricity purchases continue... in winter

As preparations begin for maintenance work on power and water production units and desalination plants in the middle of the current month, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has kept electricity procurement from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Interconnection Authority open in the coming months. This measure is intended to supply the grid with the agreed-upon power and provide maintenance teams with greater flexibility to carry out their tasks as required, thereby ensuring improved efficiency and readiness of the units for the upcoming summer.

Sources familiar with the matter told Al-Rai that the quantities of electricity required by the national grid from the GCC Interconnection Authority are subject to periodic reviews, based on consumption rates that vary from one period to another. Accordingly, the purchase tariff and the quantities needed by the grid are determined.

The sources noted that the ministry’s successful experience in procuring electricity during the past winter months, which facilitated the completion of maintenance work on production units and desalination plants, has encouraged the ministry to repeat this approach. They added that continuing electricity purchases in the near future will give maintenance teams greater flexibility in implementing their programs without affecting grid stability.

The sources stated that the ministry is coordinating with relevant authorities to advance the implementation of major production projects, aiming to increase production capacity so that production rates exceed consumption levels.

Regarding annual maintenance programs, the electricity distribution networks sector is preparing to launch its annual maintenance schedule in early October, while maintenance work in the electricity transmission networks sector will continue throughout the year.