Saudi Arabia is making significant efforts to ensure a successful Hajj season with maximum comfort for pilgrims by supplying significant amounts of electricity and desalinated water to the holy sites. The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) has pumped over 3 billion liters of fresh water to Makkah and the holy sites during the Tarwiah and Arafat days, as well as the first day of Eid Al-Adha. This is part of the SWA’s operational plan to guarantee the comfort and well-being of pilgrims during the current Hajj season.
The Saudi Electricity Company has announced the addition of mobile stations with a voltage of 110 kilovolts, costing SR60 million, as a new source of electrical energy completed in May 2024. The project extends over a network exceeding 4 kilometers, with a total station capacity of 147 MVA. Moreover, projects for subscriber connections in the central area of Mecca and the holy sites cost more than SR166 million. Projects to enhance medium and low voltage at a cost exceeding SR36 million were also implemented, as well as network replacement and automation projects for distribution stations in the central area of Mecca and the holy sites costing SR46 million.
In addition to the electricity projects, the Saudi Electricity Company has implemented a subscriber connection project in pilgrim housing areas, costing more than SR6 million. Several distribution projects have also been carried out to improve electricity distribution, enhance service stability, and effectively meet the needs of pilgrims. This includes the creation of maintenance team launch centers in Arafat, with a total cost exceeding SR25 million, and in Mina and Muzdalifah at a cost of over SR9 million to ensure the rapid response of technical teams to reports. Furthermore, a building adjacent to the operations and control center was constructed at a cost exceeding SR18 million, along with the construction of 8 housing buildings for staff at the transformer stations, costing more than SR8 million.
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has indicated that over 2,000 employees are working to provide water services to pilgrims this year. The daily pumping rate exceeds 750,000 cubic meters in Mecca, reaching up to 1 million cubic meters during peak days of Arafat and Eid. The water storage capacity has reached 3.2 million cubic meters, and around 4,100 laboratory tests are conducted daily to ensure the quality of water provided to the pilgrims. The ministry has launched 10 projects exceeding SR158 million to develop infrastructure and support water supply during the Hajj season.
In conclusion, Saudi Arabia is implementing various projects to ensure the smooth functioning of essential services such as electricity and water supply during the Hajj season. These efforts are aimed at providing pilgrims with the necessary comfort and amenities to perform their rituals without interruption. With significant investments in infrastructure and technology, Saudi Arabia is committed to enhancing the overall experience for pilgrims and ensuring a successful Hajj season with the utmost convenience and comfort.
