Alert: Kuwait To Experience 49°C This Weekend

The electricity load index will continue to rise with temperatures approaching 48 degrees Celsius, as it recorded 15,450 megawatts Wednesday, thereby approaching the orange zone. According to informed sources at the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the number recorded by the index today separates us from the expected maximum load of 1,275 megawatts, as the ministry expected the maximum load for the summer of this year to be 16,707 megawatt

The sources indicated that loads will rise in the coming days due to expected temperature increases. They stressed the need to rationalize electricity consumption by citizens, residents, and government agencies during the current stage by turning off lights and appliances in rooms and unused areas and replacing and renewing air conditioners with modern ones that conserve electricity because air conditioners consume 70 percent of energy production during the summer.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department announced that weather maps and numerical models indicate the country will be affected by an extension of a high-pressure area accompanied by a hot, dry air mass and light to moderate northwesterly winds that may be active at times, raising dust. The weekend weather is expected to be generally very hot during the day and hot at night.

Director of the Department, Abdulaziz Al-Qarawi, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Thursday’s weather is very hot, with light to moderate northwesterly winds, speeds ranging from 8 to 35 kilometers per hour, and maximum temperatures between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius. Sea conditions are light to moderate, with waves rising from 2 to 4 feet. Al-Qarawi predicted that nighttime weather will be hot, with northwesterly to variable winds, light to moderate at 8 to 32 kilometers per hour, a minimum temperature of 31 to 36 degrees, and light to moderate sea waves between 1 and 4 feet.

For Friday, he forecasted very hot weather, with winds varying from light to moderate northwesterly at 8 to 38 kilometers per hour, and maximum temperatures between 46 and 49 degrees. The sea state will be light to moderate, with waves ranging from 1 to 4 feet. At night, Friday’s weather will remain hot, with light to moderate northwesterly winds, sometimes active at 12 to 45 kilometers per hour, and a minimum temperature of 32 to 35 degrees. The sea state will be light to moderate, with waves sometimes rising between 2 to 6 feet.

On Saturday, it is expected to be very hot, with moderate to active northwesterly winds, sometimes strengthening from 20 to 60 kilometers per hour, causing dust. The maximum temperature is expected to be between 45 and 47 degrees, with light to moderate sea conditions and waves sometimes rising between 2 to 6 feet. Saturday night will be hot, with light to moderate northwesterly to variable winds, speeds ranging from 8 to 32 kilometers per hour, and the expected minimum temperature between 32 and 35 degrees. The sea will be light to moderate, with waves ranging from 1 to 4 feet.

In related news, during an extensive meeting led by Dr. Mahmoud Bushehri, Minister of Electricity and Water, Kuwait’s energy outlook for the upcoming year was starkly outlined, reports Al-Jarida daily. Dr. Bushehri warned of a challenging period ahead, indicating that Kuwait may soon face difficulties in providing electrical energy, potentially leading to irregular or insufficient supply. This alarming forecast stems from a culmination of factors, including disruptive policies in oil-producing nations like Iraq and Venezuela, which have spiraled into perpetual energy crises despite their significant oil reserves.

The Minister’s call for consumer energy conservation, particularly during peak periods from 11 am to 5 pm, underscores the gravity of the situation. Years of stagnant infrastructure development, exacerbated by escalating demographic shifts, rising temperatures, and climate change concerns, have compounded Kuwait’s energy woes. Despite efforts to bolster capacity by purchasing 500 megawatts from neighboring countries and initiating solar energy projects, the country has failed to establish new power plants for nearly two decades. Recent incidents, such as the outage at Mirqab A substation and disruptions in Nuzha and Mansouriya areas, highlight the vulnerability of Kuwait’s aging infrastructure. With a maximum production capacity of 18,700 megawatts and an impending demand surge due to ongoing housing and industrial expansions, the gap between supply and demand looms large.

Mohammed Ghanem

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies

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