Electricity in Kuwait is like camels dying of thirst while carrying water
WHEN the poet Tarafa Ibn Al-Abd, born in 543 AD, wrote: 'Like camels in the desert dying of thirst while carrying water on their backs', he was perhaps referring to a scenario much like Kuwait's current situation in terms of shortage of not only in electricity but also in other sectors. The country, despite carrying many solutions on its back, suffers from a severe thirst for effective decision-making.
The government, the National Fund for Economic Development, and other institutions involved in international charitable work have traditionally allocated generous grants and loans to fund development projects and power plants in other countries. However, when it comes to spending on projects in Kuwait, there is a noticeable reluctance to invest. If we assume the best of intentions, these institutions are awaiting approval from various bodies, each imposing stringent conditions that are often difficult, if not impossible, to meet. This bureaucratic delay is one of the reasons why Kuwait has been grappling with an ongoing electricity crisis since the late 1960s. I remember being at Kuwait's embassy in Beirut in 1970 when the power went out.
A citizen, who happened to be in the building, asked in surprise, 'Has Al-Sumait's authority reached Beirut?' He was referring to the late Minister of Electricity and Water Abdullah Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Sumait. Indeed, we cannot deny Al-Sumait his due. He did his best, but was constantly thwarted by challenges, including opposition from the National Assembly, powerful businessmen looking to secure their share of power plant contracts, the Public Tender Committee, the State Audit Bureau, and other bureaucratic hurdles. Since then, many ministers have taken office, but little progress has been made, either due to these persistent obstacles or because many preferred to play it safe and enjoy their exceptional salaries.
The electricity crisis in Kuwait recurs every summer. Recently, Kuwaiti officials have come up with a solution in the form of scheduled power cuts. With the arrival of each summer, and even before it begins, we hear about proposed solutions to the crisis. Yet, they remain nothing more than ink on paper, quickly erased by the scorching summer winds. It seems that ordinary citizens are being urged to rationalize their electricity and water consumption, while ministries, government institutions, mosques, and many other public facilities remain exempt from these campaigns. Lights stay on, and air conditioners run continuously, even after working hours have ended. As a result, Kuwait looks like a city where the sun never sets, especially to air travelers at night. This is a prime example of blatant waste, which directly contradicts the government's statements.
No wonder, then, that citizens have lost trust in government statements. Because 'Kuwait is different', the government has not taken the initiative to adopt any of the plans implemented in neighboring countries to solve this crisis. The plan is very simple: it starts with rationalizing consumption, followed by achieving self-sufficiency for each city and region. Power stations are allocated to each region and are managed by specialized and competent companies. In Kuwait, each governorate could manage its own electricity, water, and even sewage systems, with the proceeds being reinvested to benefit low-consumption individuals. This model is already in place in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
Do we have to endure darkness and intense heat for an extended period because officials at the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy are unwilling to seriously pursue and implement practical solutions? In most countries, the electricity sector operates independently and is managed by joint-stock companies in which citizens hold shares. However, due to the ongoing chaos in Kuwait over the years, it seems that the situation will remain unchanged until qualified experts take charge of this critical sector. Unfortunately, it appears that there is little hope of achieving this goal soon. The new Minister of Electricity has explicitly stated that the power outages are due to increased loads and consumption compared to last year. This statement suggests that the crisis will not be resolved in the foreseeable future. Considering that the problem has been anticipated since last year, what actions has the ministry taken over the past months to prevent these power cuts? I would like to point out that we have not even reached the peak of the hot summer months ye
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