Sheikh, President of the Saudi Electricity Company in the Western region, said the electricity link-up project between the Western and Southern regions is in the final stages and he expects it to be launched within four weeks at the latest. He said the link-up project that will be launched at Al-Shaqeeq plant will boost electricity in the Western region with over 300 megawatts being provided from Asir and Al-Baha before the holy month of Ramadan. He denied that this would affect electricity in the Southern region, as he said that this matter has been planned for. He said the deficit in the Western region would be covered from the surplus in the Southern region and vice versa. Al-Sheikh said that the electricity link-up for all regions of the Kingdom will be completed within the coming two years. As to the recent power outages that occurred during the school examinations, he said the unexpected high temperatures and change in the wind direction affected some units. He added that although this swift change in temperature and wind direction had not been expected, the problem was dealt with speedily. Al-Sheikh said peak loads usually occur during early August to early September (which this year corresponds to late Sha'ban and Ramadan). Al-Sheikh said the company is prepared for increased summer and Ramadan loads and will be able to prevent power outages.
