‘Balanced approach’ key for sustainable energy future

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Minister of Oil and Environment and the Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, highlighted the pressing issue of the energy crisis and the lack of investments in new opportunities within the energy sector.

Dr. Bin Daina was speaking during a recent business networking luncheon held at the Crowne Plaza and organised by the American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain.

As the world focuses on combating climate change, the pressure on finding alternative energy sources mounts, leaving Bahrain and other nations grappling with the imminent shortage.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Bin Daina stressed the long-standing relationship between Bahrain and the United States, spanning over 80 years.

He emphasised that Bahrain’s collaboration with the US extended beyond military bases, extending to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a significant focus on environmental concerns.

Drawing attention to the energy security challenge, Dr. Bin Daina highlighted recent climate-related incidents at Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), attributing them to the effects of climate change.

Unprecedented heavy rainfall, reaching 90mm, caused these incidents, underscoring the undeniable impact of climate change on the region.

He stated, “There’s no way anyone can question climate change when faced with such extreme weather conditions.”

Regarding alternative energy sources, Dr. Bin Daina acknowledged the potential role of hydrogen but expressed concerns about its high cost.

Balanced approach

He stressed the need for a balanced approach, combining multiple energy sources such as renewables and hydrogen to address the energy shortage effectively.

Examining the global energy consumption and the challenges faced by developing nations due to limited financing options, Dr. Bin Daina expressed his genuine concern about the heavy reliance on certain energy sources.

He warned that such reliance could lead to a shortage of energy sources that cannot be easily replaced, exacerbating the energy crisis.

Dr. Bin Daina pointed out Bahrain’s dedication to combat climate change, stating, “We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, aiming for a substantial 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2035, and taking significant steps to double our mangrove size.”

However, he raised a valid concern about the effectiveness of these measures, questioning, “Will these initiatives alone be sufficient?”