Bahrain at the forefront of renewable energy adoption in MENA: MESIA

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain is at the forefront in leading renewable energy adoption in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as the country races towards achieving the Net Zero goals, said an expert industry body, the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA).

MESIA, one of the key partners at the upcoming Powerlec Bahrain 2024 during September 23-25, an international trade fair and conference on solar, renewables, storage, power, and electrical industry is also taking proactive steps to position the Kingdom as a sustainable energy pioneer and fulfill the country’s Net Zero commitment by 2060.

“Bahrain is at the cusp of leading the region in renewable energy adoption. Powerlec Bahrain will play a pivotal role in strengthening the renewable energy community’s role to meet the targeted objective by bringing all the stakeholders on one platform, said Hinde Liepmannsohn, Executive Director of the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA).

Dubai Renewable Energy Business Group (DREBG) of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce has also partnered with the event organiser, Verifair, for Powerlec Bahrain.

“This landmark event will provide a platform to explore and engage with the opportunities presented by the Kingdom’s ambitious decarbonization initiatives. We look forward to this pivotal event’s positive impact on the renewable energy landscape in Bahrain and beyond,” said L. K Verma, Chairman, Dubai Renewable Energy Business Group (DREBG), Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

In the backdrop of the Kingdom’s endeavors to reinforce and sustain circular economy initiatives to meet decarbonization goals through energy transition, this year the Powerlec Bahrain conference theme will be on ‘Bahrain’s Net Zero Ambition – Unfolding Renewables, Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable, Decarbonized Economy.’

At  Powerlec Bahrain, DRBEG members will be showcasing the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and capabilities, aligning with Bahrain’s drive towards a sustainable future, said Verma, who is also the Founder and Managing Director of Orange Overseas FZE, Powernsun, PnS One, Pvmarket & Areem.

Across MENA, the focus on decarbonization has gathered strength over the years, and as per Bahrain’s National Energy Strategy announced at COP 26 in Glasgow, the Kingdom has committed to achieving a 30 percent reduction in emissions by 2035 and total neutrality by 2060.

The principal sponsor of Powerlec Bahrain is JA Solar while the headline sponsor is SUNGROW

“Bahrain is creating a lot of new opportunities for solar and wind energy, and we are elated to present our extensive product portfolio to the local clientele. We are eager to support Bahrain in achieving its sustainability objectives and to work alongside it to transition to a green economy,” said Lei Wu, COO of Overseas Strategic KA Center & MEA Region, SUNGROW.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the energy transition towards renewables is well underway in the region. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) has projected that 26 percent of the total primary energy supply in the region will be from renewables by 2050, resulting in a CO2/year reduction equivalent to 1.1 Gt. The renewables sector jobs also could touch 2 million by then, up from 542,000 in 2017.

 “The commitment by governments in the MENA region to contribute to limiting the global temperature rise to below 1.5 degree C as per the Paris Agreement has spawned a robust energy transition movement across the region, opening up huge opportunities for businesses in the green technologies space. Powerlec Bahrain is a unique platform in this context to leverage business growth and contribute to the Net Zero movement,” said Jeen Joshua, Managing Director, Verifair.