Electricity Minister praises AGU's successful energy consumption experience

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister, Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) Chief Executive Officer, Shaikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, paid a visit to the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), where they were informed about its unique experience in rationalising and saving energy consumption.

The experience led to a decrease in electricity consumption at AGU’s buildings by about 35% in less than ten years.

AGU President, Dr Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Ohali, said that the visit encourages AGU to carry on its efforts towards achieving its goals of rationalising energy consumption, lauding the ongoing cooperation between AGU and state entities in Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The visit featured a video presentation on AGU’s mission and vision based on a set of development goals aimed at developing and investing in the human and material resources, in line with the visions of GCC leaders.

The minister and his accompanying delegation were informed about AGU’s efforts to conserve energy through reducing its consumption.

AGU made remarkable progress in its endeavors to enhance its corporate social responsibility and reduce its carbon footprint in the environment by rationalising and saving energy consumption in its buildings, as consumption decreased from 12870600 kilowatts in 2012 to 8620000 kilowatts in 2020.

 The milestone was the fruitful outcome of the plans put in place by AGU President in this regard. They included dispensing with old central air-conditioning units and replacing them with advanced devices that increase energy efficiency and reduce electrical load to raise energy efficiency, replacing all lighting units in the University building with the LED lighting system, installation of sensors that turn off the lights in offices, laboratories and corridors if they are empty of individuals and installation of VDL devices to regulate the speed of air flow in air conditioners, a measure that also contributes to reducing consumption. A power factor device was also installed at the power lines connection panel of the main electrical network in the electricity network at the University, through cooperation with EWA.

The minister expressed pride in AGU’s achievements in rationalising energy consumption, expressing the Electricity and Water Ministry’s desire to continue its distinguished cooperation with AGU.

EWA Chief Executive affirmed that AGU’s success in decreasing energy consumption by 35% is an exceptional model that should be documented and spread across various educational institutions and universities.

The minister was also informed about AGU’s plans, including the use of solar energy and the installation of solar panels to contribute to further rationalising energy consumption, noting that AGU’s efforts reflect its endeavours to enhance its corporate social responsibility and reduce its carbon footprint in the environment.