JEDDAH, 28 May 2003 — Complaints about power cuts in the Makkah and Madinah regions are growing, especially at a time when final examinations at schools and colleges are fast approaching.
But Water and Electricity Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the power cuts were the result of growing electricity demand in the two regions, and more allocations were necessary to strengthen power generation and distribution facilities in the regions.
He said electricity projects worth more than SR10.8 billion were being implemented in Makkah and Madinah. Among them, projects valued at SR7.88 billion are under construction while tenders would be called shortly for projects worth a further SR2.99 billion, he explained.
Al-Gosaibi, who is also chairman of the Saudi Electricity Company, hoped that the implementation of the new projects would improve electricity supply in the two regions. Tenders will also be called for the second phase of the SR2.6 billion Shuaiba expansion project, he said, adding that the project would generate 1,200 megawatt.
According to a report carried by Al-Madinah yesterday, residents in the Jeddah districts of Samir and Madain Al-Fahd and the Old Airport areas were affected by the power cuts, which lasted between 10 and 24 hours.
The surprise power cuts forced many families in the two regions to rent residential apartments to protect their families from extreme heat and help their children prepare for crucial school examinations.
In his press statement, Al-Gosaibi apologized for the inconvenience caused by the power cuts. He assured the residents and electricity subscribers in the two regions that the SEC would find drastic solutions to the problem.
“I have told all employees of the company that its slogan should be ‘the consumer is always right,’” the statement said quoting the minister.
The Saudi Electricity Company had earlier announced that it would be compelled to cut supply to a number of districts in the two regions in the coming days to offset pressure on the power grid.
