German Embassy in Manama Goes Solar in Support of Bahrain's Net-Zero Goal
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com
The German Embassy in Manama took a significant step towards Bahrain's ambitious Net-Zero goal by installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its embassy roof. The initiative was officially announced yesterday at a ceremony attended by Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs.
The new solar PV system boasts a capacity of 34.8 kilowatts (kW), generating an estimated 54 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually. This translates to a projected annual saving of BD 1,566 on electricity bills for the embassy.
The ceremony, themed "Step by Step Towards Net-Zero, Contributing to Bahrain's Climate Goal," highlighted the embassy's commitment to sustainability."This project, combined with our recently acquired electric car charged by the solar panels, demonstrates the viability of renewable energy," said Clemens Hach, German Ambassador to Bahrain, in an interview with the Daily Tribune. "The technology is readily available and financially sound, and we believe many in Bahrain can contribute to the national vision."
Inspiring Action
Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, commended the German embassy's initiative. "They have set an exemplary standard for all to follow," he stated during the ceremony, emphasizing Bahrain's target of achieving a more sustainable future and increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources.
Tarsheed Energy Consultation and Services, a leading Bahraini renewable energy solutions company, played a crucial role in facilitating the project. Seena Dashty, Co-Founder and Managing Director, highlighted the project's potential for expansion. "We have plans to increase the solar PV capacity by up to 40%," Dashty told the Daily Tribune. "This aligns with the government's ambitious target of generating 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2035."
The embassy's vision extends beyond the initial installation. Phase two involves expanding the solar PV system to the car park with an additional 30 kW capacity, aiming to cover 35% of its overall annual energy consumption.
Combating Climate Change
Burning natural gas and oil for electricity production and transportation are significant contributors to Bahrain's CO2 emissions. A 2021 report revealed that electricity and heat producers account for 72.2% of the country's emissions, while transportation contributes another 10.7%.
In Bahrain, approximately 905 grams of CO2 are emitted per kWh of electricity generated. Therefore, the embassy's adoption of solar PV represents a substantial step towards reducing its carbon footprint. The Kingdom has set ambitious goals of achieving 5% and 20% renewable energy production by 2025 and 2035, respectively.
The German embassy's initiative serves as a beacon of environmental responsibility, urging others to embrace renewable energy solutions and collectively contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for Bahrain.
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