KUWAIT, April 28 (KUNA) -- The Ministry of Electricity and Water is to provide an additional 2,200 megawatt of energy for the summer season to avoid power outage or restrictions , the minister said.
Minister Bader Al-Shreiaan said there is less challenge this year as all power stations are to be working at full capacity, and with Al-Zour station also planned to start service in June to supply 1,300 megawatt.
The minister was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the authorization of the first batch of ministry staff to issue legal notices and fines upon inspections.
"Last year, we had two units with capacity of 500 megawatt out of service in Sabiyya and Doha. Service and maintenance this year was 'excellent' and all out units are back online, full force." As for the situation when it comes to water, the minister noted the state's water reserve is stable and there is no intention for water supply restrictions ahead.
"As of next week, all desalination units would be operational, full capacity, and we also hope to see fruit of rationalizing plans and awareness campaigns to head into the summer with good reserves on hand." The cooperation of many state bodies with campaigns aiming to curb power and water consumption was "good", the minister said, pointing out "the Ministry of Defense cut its consumption by 300 megawatt and the Ministry of Education by 240 megawatt last year." Curbing peak-hours power consumption in particular translates into saving in expensive fuel, he said.
The issue of nuclear power came up, and the minister remarked the recent disaster in Japan merits much careful thought and the state's specialized committee is still in the first stages of its handling of this proposal.
As to the authorization of ministry staff to issue notices of violations on premises and bodies failing to pay their dues to the ministry, Al-Shreiaan said this aims to counter waste of power and water due to carelessness and ignorance. - Kuna