Al-Mikhaimeem: Electricity Sector to Operate Efficiently Through Summer 2026

- Community engagement with the “Save” campaign contributed to reducing demand during peak hours and strengthening the culture of conservation.

- New electrical loads were added to the grid without increasing the peak load.

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 electrical 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 electrical load.

Al-Makhzoum added 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 recorded 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 new electrical loads resulting from connecting electricity to new facilities amounted to 1,059 megawatts during the period from summer 2024 to summer 2025, and 1,019 megawatts during the period from summer 2025 to summer 2026, totaling...

Despite this, the peak electrical load in summer 2026 was lower than levels recorded in summers 2024 and 2025, confirming the impact of efforts to improve energy efficiency and enhance 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 hours. These measures included reducing working hours in government entities by one hour, halting factory operations during peak hours, and implementing the national energy and water conservation campaign (“Save”), 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 electrical 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.

He noted that the summer of 2026 occurred under exceptionally difficult circumstances due to regional developments affecting the country and the region, including 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 out of service 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.

He continued, “Despite these unusual operational conditions and the resulting technical damage, unit outages, and disruptions to maintenance programs, 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 importance of the national campaign for conserving energy and water, “Wafar,” in stabilizing the electricity and water systems during the summer of 2026. He noted that the campaign directly contributed to sustaining service continuity by fostering community engagement with conservation messages and reducing 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 throughout 2026 through partnerships with government and private entities, implementing programs, lectures, activities, and awareness messages targeted at various segments of society. This reinforced the culture of responsible electricity and water usage and solidified the concept of shared responsibility in preserving the nation’s resources.

He 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 state institutions, the private sector, and individuals, as well as embedding 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 country’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.

He 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 academic year has started at the Ministry of Education. This requires intensifying preparations to ensure the stability of the electrical grid 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 employees of the Ministry across various sites, stations, monitoring and control centers, and emergency units. 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 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.