KUWAIT CITY, June 17: The Audit Bureau has warned the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) against the implementation of the Subiya and Zour projects to increase power production, since the distribution and transmission networks lack the capacity for additional power load, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In its latest report, the bureau pointed out the ministry has been focusing on increasing power production, while neglecting the capability of the existing networks. Any extra power load on the distribution network and the secondary transformers may lead to accidents in many areas. The Subiya plant can produce 1,300 megawatts but adding this to the existing units will result in massive breakdown of underground and air cables, transformers and transmission stations across the country. The ministry must divide the network into three to increase power from 275 to 400 kilovolts, the report added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Electricity and Water has taken the necessary steps to upgrade the power network in the country, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.
This came after the State Audit Bureau released its report highlighting flaws in the ministry’s plan to increase power production. Sources affirmed the ministry will soon float several tenders to establish transmission stations with the capacity to produce 400 kilovolts. Sources said the ministry has started taking concrete steps to develop the Subiya, Fintas, Jabriya and North Zour stations to cover the rising demand for electricity. 
Sources pointed out these projects are clear manifestations that the ministry has not neglected the electricity issue, admitting there had been delays due to external factors. They added there is no reason for the public to worry about power outages this summer because the country has ample supply of electricity.
In related development, several employees at the Hydrogen Unit of the Operations Department in the Shuaiba Power Plant recently staged a sit-in to demand for their rights, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily quoting sources.
The protesters lamented they have been fighting for their rights over the last four years but the concerned authorities have not taken any step to address their problems until now. The protesters said their demands have fallen on deaf ears and they continue to experience injustice in their workplace. They also thanked their colleagues in other units at the plant for their support, particularly their readiness to participate in the protest action if the demands are not met, sources added.