Kuwait implemented temporary power cuts in select industrial and agricultural areas this week as demand surged beyond available capacity. The power cut came as temperatures soared to nearly 38°, adding pressure to an already strained power grid. Summer temperatures in the Gulf country often exceed 50ºC.
But the cuts have started even before the scorching heat begins, highlighting the challenges facing one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
This is not the first time Kuwait has grappled with such electricity issues. Last summer, it resorted to rare scheduled outages as temperatures soared.
The country's dysfunctional political landscape is keeping the state in a cycle of instability, impeding long-term planning and execution, including within the power sector, said Jessica Obeid, energy policy consultant and founding partner at the UAE-based New Energy Consult. “This chronic crisis highlights how electricity reforms do not happen in a vacuum and are impacted by overall governance.”
The country has one of the most open political systems in the Gulf, with an elected parliament holding legislative power. However, tensions between the elected parliament and the government, appointed by the Emir and led by a member of the ruling family, often result in political and legislative gridlock, cabinet reshuffles and even parliamentary dissolutions.
Rising demand
Experts have long warned of an impending electricity crisis in Kuwait, citing indecision over the construction of new power stations to meet rising demand. Additionally, much of the country's power infrastructure is outdated and requires frequent maintenance.
The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on Wednesday that high loads and a need for maintenance to prepare power plants to run at full capacity this summer have prompted the temporary cuts to certain areas for limited hours.
Another key challenge in addressing the crisis is Kuwait’s subsidy-driven energy model. The government provides heavily subsidised electricity to residents, leading to high consumption as consumers have little financial incentive to reduce their usage.
While other Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, have reformed subsidies to promote energy efficiency, Kuwait has been slower to implement reforms due to political resistance.
The country primarily relies on natural gas for electricity generation, but supply shortages have forced it to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bridge the gap. Qatar agreed last year to supply its neighbour with 3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG for 15 years.
The government has also sought emergency electricity imports through the Gulf Co-operation Council’s Interconnection Authority, though such measures have limitations.
Analysts say Kuwait’s investment in the GCC's electricity grid has been vital in managing peak electricity demand, offering short-term relief, but it is not a long-term solution.
“This is not sustainable for Kuwait’s structural electricity issues, as it fails to address the root cause, and demand will continue to rise at unsustainable levels,” noted Ms Obeid. “Regional interconnections complement power sector reforms, but there is no substitute for robust energy planning and broader national reforms.”
Renewable energy
Kuwait has set a target of generating 15 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but progress has been slow.
Hefty fossil fuel subsidies have created obstacles by reducing the competitiveness of renewables, said Ms Obeid. “Also, the country's institutional framework lacks a dedicated authority to lead renewable energy development, creating regulatory uncertainty and reducing investor confidence. On the technical level, the grid weakness and limited flexibility compound the challenge of integrating renewable energy capacity. Achieving the renewable energy target will require institutional stability and immediate grid upgrades.”
In the 2024 Energy Transition Index, Kuwait ranked last among Gulf states and 104th globally, with a score of 48.6. For perspective, Sweden secured the top position with a score of 78.4.
"Unlike some of its Gulf neighbours such as the UAE, Qatar, and more recently Saudi Arabia, Kuwait has yet to significantly diversify its energy mix or invest in large-scale renewable energy projects,” Karim Elgendy, expert on energy transitions and climate policy and associate fellow at the Chatham House think tank, told The National.
"The cancellation of the 1.5GW Al Dabdaba solar plant project in 2020, for instance, has limited progress on this front and contributed to the crisis this year. Kuwait's structural lack of investment may also stem from a lack of long-term energy planning. Kuwait had 12 electricity ministers since early 2020,” he added.
Mr Elgendy believes the country's most sustainable path forward lies in accelerating energy diversification, particularly by tapping into its vast solar potential.
Beyond energy, Kuwait also lags behind its regional peers in economic diversification.
While Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have set ambitious diversification goals, investing heavily in everything from artificial intelligence to new cities, Kuwait remains largely dependent on oil revenue to sustain its expansive welfare state, with relatively little domestic investment in alternative sectors.
However, a policy shift took place last month when Kuwait passed a long-anticipated public debt law, allowing the government to borrow for the first time in eight years. Officials say this will help finance major projects, including a new port and airport terminal, while also laying the groundwork for diversifying government revenue streams beyond oil.
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
Indika
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
