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Kuwait turns down the watt

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KUWAIT: Authorities in Kuwait have stepped up power consumption efforts in a bid to resolve a chronic electricity crisis that has hit the oil-rich country for years, forcing the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy to resort to programmed cuts in the summer when temperature soars above 50 degrees Celsius.

Despite assurances by top officials that 2025 was likely to pass without cuts, people were surprised by unprecedented wide-ranging cuts in early April, when a sudden surge in the mercury came as a number of generators were under annual maintenance, reducing the available electricity.

The ministry was forced to impose power cuts to parts of over 60 residential, agricultural and industrial areas as temperatures surged above 40 degrees Celsius, unfamiliar for this part of the year. New Minister of Electricity and Water Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem said consumption on April 9 was 21 percent higher than the same day last year and it was 17.3 percent higher on April 10, attributing the rise to a jump in temperature.

Just two days before the power cuts, Al-Mukhaizeem issued a decision to form a “committee for rationalizing the consumption of electricity and water in Kuwait” headed by the ministry undersecretary and including representatives from many ministries, establishments and independent authorities. The committee is entrusted to design awareness programs to convince

people as well as the private sector to save energy, especially between 11 am and 5 pm daily, when consumption peaks in hot summer days. During its first meeting, the committee launched its first energy-saving campaign “Save 2025”.

Almost all ministries, headed by the ministries of defense, education, higher education, Islamic affairs, health and the industries union ordered their staff to observe strict rationalization policies that include instructions on the use of air-conditions, believed to be responsible for 70 percent of electricity consumption in the summer.

The Public Authority for Industry instructed industrial establishments to stop work from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and compensate for that during nighttime hours. Minister of Higher Education Nader Al-Jallal visited the new campus of Sabah Al-Salem University to inspect the university’s pioneering initiative “Let’s be partners in saving electricity” launched last year, which helped save 15 percent of the university’s consumption and is expected to increase to 20 percent.

Authorities are also launching media campaigns to enlighten the public about the benefits of saving energy through the adequate use of various devices at home, especially AC units. The problem is that Kuwait’s domestic electricity production is not enough to meet ever-rising consumption in summer, mainly because new power generation projects were too slow to be sanctioned in the past decade.

Just two days ago, the electricity ministry said the Central Tenders Committee approved a new tender for the fourth phase at Subiya power plant that will add 900 MW after three years, the first key project in several years.

In 2024, consumption rose to over 17,000 megawatts for the first time ever and local production coupled with a 500 MW daily import from the Gulf power grid failed to meet demand. This year, consumption was forecast to cross 18,000 MW. Former Electricity and Water Minister Mahmoud Bushehri said two months ago, just before he quit, that local consumption will top the 18,000 MW mark and that Kuwait has doubled its imports from the Gulf power grid to 1,000 MW.

Bushehri vowed in February that the ministry will not resort to power cuts during next summer after it raised its output and the import from the GCC power grid. Also in February, Bushehri told a regional meeting on renewable energy that Kuwait was expected to generate some 5,700 MW of electricity from renewable energy over the next four years with investments exceeding KD 1 billion. According to unofficial statistics, per capita electricity consumption in Kuwait is one of the highest in the world.

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Iran Embassy opens condolence book to honor victims of Zionist aggression

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KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuwait opened a condolence book, on Monday, to honor the victims of the recent aggression against Iran. The event was attended by officials, ambassadors, and media. Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi expressed his appreciation for the positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially Kuwait, regarding the recent events, noting that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister had called his Iranian counterpart in a gesture that reflects the strength of bilateral relations, describing the presence of ambassadors at the embassy as “Noteworthy and Positive.”

The ambassador said in a statement that his country endured twelve days of intense aggression by the Zionist entity, joined by the United States in the final two days, explaining that Iran faced simultaneous attacks from countries equipped with nuclear capabilities and advanced technology, backed by NATO. He emphasized that the planners of this aggression had expected Iran to collapse within days. However, “The unity of the Iranian people inside and outside the country formed a formidable barrier.” He added that US intervention came only after ten days of failed efforts to achieve any ground breakthrough.

Toutounchi revealed that the number of victims exceeded 620 martyrs, with more than 5,356 wounded, including 13 children and 43 women, some of whom were pregnant, adding “Seven hospitals, six health centers, and dozens of ambulances were destroyed. These martyrs cannot be replaced whether they were children, military leaders, or academics, calling for the Zionist entity and the United States to be held accountable before international bodies to prevent such crimes from recurring.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the ambassador reiterated Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), pointing out that the country’s nuclear program, which represents less than 3 percent of global peaceful nuclear activities, has undergone over 23 percent of international inspections. He argued that this high inspection rate indicates no deviation toward military objectives.

He disclosed that Iran had recently agreed to five rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the diplomatic track and ensuring the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. He also stressed that Iran’s response against US military and intelligence bases in Qatar was a legitimate act of self-defense and was not directed at any neighboring countries, affirming Iran’s full respect for their sovereignty. He noted that Iran had communicated with Qatari leadership to clarify its position, stating that military bases in neighboring countries used by US forces cannot be considered safe havens for launching attacks.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ambassador to Kuwait Al-Manhal Al-Safi expressed his deep gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership, government, and people for facilitating the return of over 3,000 stranded Iraqi citizens by issuing more than 3,500 transit visas in just 12 days. The Iraqi ambassador affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Iran and condemned the aggression, revealing that Zionist aircraft had breached Iraqi airspace, prompting Baghdad to file an official complaint with the UN Security Council.

In the same context, the Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla offered his condolences to Iran, describing the incident as “A blatant and unacceptable attack.” He called for regional unity to confront shared challenges, emphasizing that the targeting of Iran threatens all free peoples in the region. He urged a joint response to protect stability and to revive the Palestinian cause as a priority. The Sudanese envoy also pointed to the double standards in the international system, calling for crises to be addressed through international legitimacy rather than the imposition of forceful agendas.

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Exit permit now mandatory for expat workers

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KUWAIT: A decision mandating expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Employees need to apply through the Sahel app or the Public Authority of Manpower’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit. The decision applies to private sector employees who have residency under article 18. Those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit.

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410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

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KUWAIT: Al-Safa Charitable Society announced that 410 students across various educational stages have benefited from the Educational Care Bank project for the 2024-2025 academic year. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Endowments, provided a total of KD 100,000 (approximately $330,000) in educational support within Kuwait. Chairman of Al-Safa’s Board of Directors Mohammad Al-Shaya said in a press statement on Monday that the project reflects a shared commitment to supporting future generations by creating an educational environment free from financial obstacles. He emphasized that the initiative also aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by low-income families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Al-Shaya praised the General Secretariat of Endowments for its continued sponsorship of impactful and innovative projects that serve the community, particularly those focused on education. He noted that the Secretariat’s support for this program underscores its strong belief in education as a cornerstone for societal advancement and sustainable development. He added that Al-Safa Charitable Society, through this partnership, seeks to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. The project, he explained, targets students who face difficulty in paying tuition fees, reaffirming the association’s belief in the right to education for all—without discrimination or financial barriers. — KUNA

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