Kuwait on toes 24/7 to fix debris-hit electricity lines

KUWAIT CITY, April 13: The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (MEWRE) efficiently dealt with escalating regional tensions by immediately implementing its extensive emergency plan. Since the initial hours of the conflict, the ministry followed high-level directives to safeguard essential services. It ensured its operational readiness by deploying rapid-response teams to preassigned strategic sites.

This proactive approach allowed for an instantaneous response to regional developments, effectively stabilizing the electricity and water supplies of the nation. The ministry’s staff showcased exceptional preparedness, acting as ‘beacons of light’ for the nation during this period of conflict. Their tremendous efforts ensured that critical services remained functional and uninterrupted.

Acting Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan convened an emergency session with senior leaders on Feb 28. They evaluated the current situation and ensured the readiness of vital utility systems amidst sensitive regional changes. On March 1, Al-Mashaan visited the National Control Center to assess the status the power grid after drone interception debris caused several overhead power lines to malfunction. During this inspection, the ministry reported that falling debris caused a minor fire on a fuel tank at the Doha West Power and Water Distillation Station. The ministry indicated that on March 3 falling debris from drone interceptions disabled two more overhead transmission lines in the southern part of the country.

On March 4, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem met with the Emergency Plan Implementation Committee to monitor the situation and review the sector-wide preparedness. Simultaneously, the ministry confirmed that five of the nine damaged transmission lines were repaired and reactivated. On March 5-6 , Al-Mukhaizeem conducted repeated inspections in the shelters of the ministry to verify their readiness under the current conditions. On March 7, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, accompanied by Al- Mukhaizeem, inspected the National Water Control Center. His Highness assessed the water system and was briefed on network stability and the teams’ readiness to implement emergency and preventative measures. On March 9, the emergency and safety teams quickly dealt with a minor fire at the Subiya Power and Water Distillation Plant’s fuel tank.

Al- Mukhaizeem later visited the plant to look into the technical damage. On March 12, six overhead power lines were disabled by drone debris, causing power outage in some parts of the country, during which the ministry restored power in record time. Technical teams restored three lines on March 14 and two more on March 15, putting five out of six damaged lines back into service and an additional line was reactivated on March 20. On March 23, Al-Mukhaizeem reviewed the operations at the Doha East and West desalination plants to ensure their readiness. On March 24, seven more transmission lines were disabled due to air defense debris. On March 25, repairs were completed in several of these lines, with four resuming operations

By Mohammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff