KUWAIT CITY, May 26: To reduce electricity consumption during peak summer hours, the Ministry of Electricity has submitted a proposal to the Civil Service Commission suggesting changes to government working hours, informed sources revealed.

According to the sources, the Ministry has proposed delaying the start of evening shifts in government agencies to avoid overlap with peak electricity consumption periods, which typically occur between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Ministry recommended suspending the flexible work schedule during the summer months to lessen the energy load on government facilities.

“In addition to these two proposals, the Ministry is currently reviewing further suggestions that will require Cabinet approval,” the sources stated. One such proposal includes ending the school year for all educational levels immediately after the announcement of final results — a move that could substantially reduce electricity usage, particularly during peak afternoon hours.

The sources emphasized that these proposals are designed to alleviate pressure on the national power grid without significantly impacting other sectors. For instance, adjusting work shifts is not expected to affect traffic flow, which is mainly influenced by the school calendar.

They further explained that standardizing the start and end times of work in government entities is essential to avoid unnecessary energy usage. "It is not reasonable for air conditioning and lighting systems to operate for extended hours when only a limited number of employees are present in the building," one source noted.

If implemented, the proposed measures would form part of a broader national strategy to promote energy efficiency during Kuwait’s high-demand summer months.