Bahrain PM inaugurates major power project in Hidd

Manama : Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said that infrastructure projects in all sectors, including energy, top the government’s agenda, given their role in enhancing Bahrain’s ability to reach advanced levels of sustainable economic growth and upgrade the national economy’s ability to attract more investment projects.

“The implementation  of development projects will continue across the Kingdom despite economic and financial challenges currently faced by the region,” Prince Khalifa remarked while inaugurating the first phase of a major 400kV electricity transmission line in Hidd yesterday. Costing BD280 million, the power project includes building three electricity transmission lines in Hidd, Um Al Hassam and Riffa and linking them.

In his address, HRH Premier pointed out that the Kingdom had succeeded in dealing flexibly with the challenges created by the decline in oil prices. The Prime Minister stressed that due to  government’s determination and meticulous plans, the development march has continued unabated to fulfil the citizens’ needs.

Earlier, HRH Premier was welcomed by Energy Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza and a number of senior State officials at the venue. 

HRH Premier directed constant follow-up of the implementation of the project to ensure its completion according to schedule. 

Lauding the support of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Prince Khalifa commended the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) for financing the project.

The Premier then toured the Hidd Power Station and the project site, and was briefed by the Energy Minister and the CEO of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) about the implementation stages of the project.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister, highlighted the government’s interest in availing of the expertise of mega world companies in implementing service and development
projects. 

The project consists of four work packages and is being implemented by the German company Siemens. Prysmian Group, from Italy, and another company from Japan are supplying the transmission lines. 

The Korean company, Hyundai, is supplying the transformers. The entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.