Top officials review readiness of energy sector for Hajj season

Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Several ministers and the deputy emir of the Makkah region inspected the operational plans for providing electrical services and petroleum products to the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah for this year’s Hajj season.

The inspection visit was led by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail.

During their visit, the officials reviewed the energy facilities in Makkah and the holy sites, examining various projects aimed at enhancing electricity services for Hajj pilgrims.

The inspection included visits to modern stations and initiatives implemented by the Saudi Electricity Company to bolster electricity service and its reliability. These projects encompass digital transformation, network automation, improvements to transmission and distribution networks, and the deployment of mobile stations connected to the electrical network.

Additionally, the company has rolled out fiber-optic network projects to enable responsive remote management through the main control center.

The officials also visited the operations and control center for the electrical network in Mina, which features five specialized centers operated by skilled national cadres.

The center oversees the electrical networks across the holy sites and manages the handling of reports and their resolution through the smart meter control center, as well as the coordination of service teams located throughout the holy sites.

In the petroleum sector, the visit highlighted the Ministry of Energy’s efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of petroleum product supplies across Saudi Arabia, particularly in Makkah and Madinah. This includes maintaining services for pilgrims traveling from both domestic and international locations. Continuous inspections are conducted along regional roads leading to the holy sites to ensure the quality of services at fuel stations and service centers. Officials were briefed on plans to maintain and increase petroleum product stocks, enhance the transportation fleet for Makkah and Madinah, and establish integrated stations to support multiple government entities in the holy sites.

This inspection tour reflects the Ministry of Energy’s ongoing commitment to monitoring projects and ensuring the reliability of energy services in Mina and Arafat.

The objective is to facilitate the Hajj journey for pilgrims by providing high-reliability services that meet the high standards of Saudi Arabia and the expectations of the pilgrims, in line with government directives.