Kuwait City: A power blackout hit most of the energy-rich Gulf state of Kuwait on Wednesday, disrupting traffic and a number of vital facilities but without affecting oil installations.

The electricity and water ministry said a technical problem at one of the country's five power plants forced it to cut power as a precautionary measure to protect the network, according the Kuna news agency.

The ministry said the problem will be repaired and electricity resumed "soon."

Lights went off at buildings, a number of hospitals, along the roads and at Kuwait Airport, according to pictures posted on Twitter.

Police patrols have been mobilised to monitor roads and traffic lights, many of which went off, leading to traffic jams.

Oil installations, particularly the three refineries, have not been affected by the blackout, an industry source told AFP.