Kuwait is bracing for power demand to surge to new highs once again this summer as the scorching heat causes air conditioning usage to skyrocket. For 2022 peak demand hit a record 16.18GW in August (MEES, 7 October 2022), and electricity minister Mutlaq al-Otaibi anticipates a new record of 16.8GW for summer 2023.

In preparation, Kuwait’s Ministry of Water and Electricity (MEW) has already completed 78% of scheduled 2023 maintenance, the minister adds. During a 23 April visit to the 1.12GW Doha East power station Mr Otaibi said that MEW’s target for available capacity this summer is 18GW. (CONTINUED - 689 WORDS)