BD6.5m solar-wind energy project on track

Manama : The BD6.5 million, 5 megawatts, experimental plant for the production of electricity using solar and wind energy is nearing completion. 

Almost 75 per cent of the project, which sprawls over 12 hectares, has been completed. The pilot project will start operating in June.

Project details were revealed during a visit of Electricity and Water Affairs Minister, Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, to the project site. The Minister was accompanied during the visit by Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and other senior officials. 

The project falls in line with Bahrain’s 2030 economic vision to explore new sources of electricity production and reduce reliance on natural gas in the production of energy as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions to preserve the environment.

Once completed, the plant, which includes 3-megawatt solar cells, two 2 megawatt wind turbines and a control, operation and control building, will be connected to the 11kv power
grid. 

The installation of the wind turbines and most of the solar cells has been completed and the work in the control building has reached an advanced
stage. 

The project is being implemented by a German company Juwi International and is overseen by a German consulting firm Fichtner.