Saudi Electricity prepared for anticipated summer power hike demand 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Saudi Electricity Company has unveiled plans to meet the anticipated increase in demand for power during the summer season in the Makkah province.

The company has taken a number of measures including operation of the first unit of the Independent Power Project (IPP) in Rabigh with a capacity of 600 megawatts, operation of a central transformer in north west Jeddah, and an additional converter at Taif central transformer, and the operation of six main new transformers in the districts of Shamiya and Batha Quraish in Makkah, as well as in Andalus, Al-Salama and industrial area districts in Jeddah.

SEC will make available medium-voltage feeders to link the new transformers to the network and strengthen the distribution networks in addition to reducing the electrical load at power distribution station number 696.

The company will also carry out precautionary maintenance work on electricity networks, including power generation plants, transmission lines and distribution networks to ensure the safety of power supply, and leasing power generation units with a capacity of 60 megawatts to address the low voltage problem in the Al-Laith region and Al-Mawiya center.

SEC would continue coordination with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, MARAFIQ (Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu) and Petro Rabigh (Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company) to increase capacity in all possible ways during peak hours.

The chairman of SEC for the western region briefed Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on SEC's achievements as well as its future plans to offer the best possible services for its consumers in various parts of the province. Consumers in the province make up 28 percent of the total 1.7 million consumers in the Kingdom.

The average consumption of electricity in the province rose 62 percent within 12 years, reaching 21 megawatts in 2011 from 13 megawatts in 2000.

There has been an increase of 198 percent in the number of villages that have come under the coverage of the SEC power network during the period, rising to 1,763 in 2011 from 592 in 2000.

By MD AL-SULAMI