Bahrain, ‘an emerging pioneer’ in sustainable energy segment

The Kingdom has achieved many milestones in the sustainable energy sector, confirmed a new report published yesterday. The Sustainable Energy Unit Annual Report 2018 published yesterday by the SEU has confirmed Bahrain’s advancement in the sector. The report titled ‘Journey towards a sustainable energy future, the beginning’ outlined all the eco-friendly steps taken by the nation. “The year saw many innovations in the field of renewable energy.

The projects implemented by SEU helped accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future,” said Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, in a statement issued. “The report shows the high position Bahrain has achieved in the sustainable energy sector. It named many prominent projects from 2018, which accelerated Bahrain’s progress towards a sustainable future.

It also highlighted the completion of a Net Metering System as a strong development in the sector.” Net Metering is one of the three policies envisioned in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan to encourage the uptake of renewable energy in the Kingdom. This policy allows individuals, companies and industries to install solar and other renewable energy systems on their properties, connect these systems to the EWA electricity network and benefit from this clean and renewable energy source.

  Other initiative praised in the report include installation of solar energy systems at The Avenues Mall, inauguration of the first government building with renewable energy, initiative for installation of solar panels on roofs of government buildings, first comprehensive study of wind sources in Bahrain, partnering with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism to launch the initiative to put energy efficiency labels on air conditioners, partnering with the Ministry of Industry and SEU partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to launch the initiative to put energy efficiency labels on air conditioners.

The Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) was established in November 2014 as a joint initiative between the Office of the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The key objectives of the unit are to develop a cohesive and sustainable energy policy and to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Kingdom. The unit also works towards bridging the legal, institutional, and capacity gaps to ensure the Bahrain energy sector is capable to meet the future challenges.

The SEU unit is the entity mandated to lead and promote energy efficiency practices, transfer and diffuse renewable energy technologies, and draft related policies and regulatory frameworks in close co-ordination with stakeholders and partners in the Kingdom. Since its establishment, the SEU has developed two key policy documents for Bahrain: the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP).