Kuwait has begun importing 200MW of ‘Qatari’ power via Saudi Arabia in a bid to meet summer peak demand, local daily al-Anbaa reported on 6 June. Imports are under the auspices of the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA). Kuwait is typically a net-contributor to GCCIA trade, which has traditionally been limited to small amounts being exchanged in-kind for grid stabilization and/or at emergencies.
However, as Kuwait has failed to increase installed power capacity in line with demand, it is now having to resort to summer imports in order to avoid blackouts (MEES, 3 May). Peak load hit 16.12GW on 5 June, the highest ever June figure, Anbaa reports. Kuwait’s power projects have been delayed for years by stifling bureaucracy and dysfunctional politics (MEES, 17 May). (CONTINUED - 228 WORDS)