Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy announced on Wednesday a temporary reduction in electricity supply affecting rural and industrial zones due to heightened demand that exceeds the capacity of generation plants currently undergoing maintenance.

The areas impacted include Sabhan, Sulaibiya, Rai, Shuwaikh, and Abdullah Porta.

In an effort to alleviate pressure on the system, the ministry has urged residents to minimize electricity consumption, particularly during peak hours from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Electricity demand traditionally spikes in the summer months as temperatures often surpass 50ºC, with recent weather reports indicating temperatures in Kuwait rose approximately 10ºC over the previous week, reaching around 38ºC.

Experts in the region have expressed concerns over a potential electricity crisis exacerbated by delays in decisions regarding the construction of new power stations necessary to accommodate growing demand, particularly since electricity remains heavily subsidized in the country.

Last summer, Kuwait experienced scheduled load-shedding for the first time to manage demand and subsequently sought electricity imports from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Interconnection Authority, alongside signing a 15-year agreement with Qatar for liquefied natural gas to power its plants.

Former MP Essam Salman Al Dabbous raised questions regarding whether adequate measures have been implemented by the Ministry to increase production capacity and reserves to prevent a recurrence of last summer's situation.

In a move towards sustainable energy solutions, Kuwait signed an agreement with China last month to enhance its electricity generation through solar energy, aiming to derive 15 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.