Saudi Leaders Inspect Energy And Petroleum Plans For Upcoming Hajj Season

Several ministers and the deputy governor 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, 1445 AH. The inspection visit was conducted by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail.

The officials inspected energy facilities in Makkah and the holy sites, checking projects to enhance electrical services for the Hajj pilgrims. They visited several locations for modern stations and projects implemented by the Saudi Electricity Company. These projects include digital transformation, automation of the electrical network, enhancing transmission and distribution networks, and providing mobile stations directly connected to the electrical network.

The company has also implemented fibre-optic network projects that contribute to ensuring responsiveness to beneficiaries remotely through the main control centre. The senior officials visited the operations and control centre for the electrical network in Mina, which includes five specialised centres managed and operated by highly qualified national individuals. The centre monitors electrical networks across the holy sites.

They were briefed on mechanisms for handling reports and their processing through the smart meter control centre, as well as service teams' departure centres spread throughout the holy sites.

The visit included an overview of plans and proactive efforts made by the Ministry of Energy to ensure and enhance the security and reliability of petroleum product supplies throughout Saudi Arabia, especially in Makkah and Madinah. The service aims to extend services to pilgrims, including those coming from both domestic and international destinations.

As part of these efforts, continuous inspections are carried out on regional roads connecting border crossings leading to the holy sites. Efforts also include enhancing services provided at fuel stations and service centres along these roads. During their tour, officials were briefed on main and backup supply plans for petroleum products, which include several completed projects.

Such plans involve raising stock levels, maintaining them throughout the Hajj period, enhancing the petroleum products transportation fleet for Makkah and Madinah, and providing integrated stations to serve multiple government entities in the holy sites.

This inspection tour is part of direct and continuous follow-up by the Ministry of Energy on projects and requirements for providing energy services. It aims to enhance the reliability of energy supplies to holy sites in Mina and Arafat while preparing for this year's Hajj season. The goal is to facilitate the Hajj journey for pilgrims by providing high-reliability services befitting Saudi Arabia's status and meeting pilgrims' aspirations according to government directives.

With inputs from SPA