Bahrain’s green energy drive on track: Dr Mirza

Bahrain is on track to generate 5 per cent power of its installed capacity from renewables by 2025, said Dr Abdulhussain Mirza. The Electricity and Water Affairs Minister explained that there are many indicators that have begun to bear fruit by attracting ideas and proposals for new projects in renewable energy. Solar photovoltaic systems have been a particular focus of interest for the Kingdom. The Kingdom has a target to achieve 6pc national electrical energy efficiency by year the 2025, and a 5pc contribution from renewable energies by the year 2025, rising further to 10pc by the year 2035.

While receiving United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Amin Al Sharqawi, the minister said these ideas, proposals and projects give a strong boost to the economy of Bahrain. Dr Mirza also commended the continuous support and follow-up by UNDP for all steps it has taken. Mr Al-Sharqawi said that the goals of sustainable development are equally important for both developed and developing countries until 2030. “These objectives provide an opportunity to respond to the aspirations of people around the globe for a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.”

Reports say, Bahrain’s per capita energy consumption, which is among the highest in the world, has nearly doubled during the last decade and with an annual increase of 10 per cent, it is expected to reach 4,803 MW in 2020. The total installed electricity capacity in 2012 was 3.0 GW, all coming from natural gas. According to a report by the Solar GCC Alliance, 5pc renewable energy share means Bahrain will have to produce 1,500,000 solar panels of 200W each from 2015 to 2030 (15 years), or about 274 panels daily.

Meanwhile, the MENA region, the MEED in a report titled ‘Renewable Energy in the Mena Region 2017’ says, requires an estimated $200 billion worth of investment in the coming years to meet the increasing demand for power. This is in addition to the upgrade of existing facilities to accommodate the surge.