Contradictions seen in MEW report

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 8:  The Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy disclosed that the Ministry has achieved a financial saving of 152 million in the last general budget. This contradicts its claim of insufficient financial funds as a primary reason for the disruption of electricity and water production projects.

The Ministry faces a significant challenge with an anticipated electricity crisis during the upcoming summer, prompting the allocation of 30 million dinars for purchasing energy from the Gulf electrical interconnection. Legislative approval has also been sought to procure energy from private sector companies.

The sources highlighted that the Ministry was expected to utilize these financial savings, amounting to 13.8% of the total budget of 3.2 billion dinars for the fiscal year 2022/2023, in consecutive annual revenues. Meanwhile, informed sources in the Ministry revealed plans for various electrical energy projects until 2029, targeting approximately 13,780 megawatts if implemented as per the set plans without delays.

These projects encompass two phases within the Subiya station, producing 900 megawatts, with experimental operation slated for 2025 and 2027. Notably, one of the Ministry’s largest projects is the Nuwaiseeb station’s first phase, expected to generate 3,600 megawatts in 2028 and 2029.

The Ministry aims to enhance production at the Subiya station by adding 250 megawatts, scheduled for experimental operation in 2026.

Additionally, there are plans to produce 2,700 megawatts from the Al-Zour North station’s phases two and three, with experimental operation set for 2027 and 2028.

Among the public-private partnership projects is the Al-Khiran project’s first phase, expected to provide 1,800 megawatts in 2028, divided into two phases of 1,200 and 600 megawatts.

The Al-Shaqaya project’s second phase is set to contribute 1,100 megawatts in 2026, with the third phase adding 200 megawatts in 2028. The fourth and fifth phases are planned to produce 1,500 megawatts in 2026 and 1,700 megawatts in 2028, respectively.

The final project involves photovoltaic panels on water tanks, aiming to reach 30 megawatts in 2026.

These projects are envisioned to meet the country’s needs in line with anticipated consumption rates.

In a related development, the Civil Service Commission approved flexible working hours for employees of the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, allowing a flexible hour from seven to eight in the morning, with a half-hour grace period.

By Mohammed Ghanem 

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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