For a green future

Manama : Renewable energy is expected to reduce the dependence on conventional energy substantially by 2035, said Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

The Minister, during a keynote speech at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum held in Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, yesterday, pointed out that encouraging investment in renewable and sustainable energy is “one of the priorities of the government’s work programme”.

In this regard, the minister also said that the Council of Ministers, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, has approved the setting up of a 100-megawatt solar power plant in partnership with the private sector. 

The project, expecting completion by 2019, in collaboration with private sector funding, will be put out to tender in February 2018. 

Explaining more about the renewable energy projects in Bahrain, Dr Mirza said that the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Plan (NREAP) were approved earlier this year and a committee for their implementation has been set up. The committee chaired by the Minister for Electricity and Water Affairs includes senior officials from all ministries and agencies Governmental organizations.

Dr Mirza also highlighted the importance of the Sustainable Energy Unit established by the Kingdom in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. He said that the unit aims at encouraging investment in the renewable energy sector, such as solar. 

The Minister also hailed the depth of the historical relations bonding Bahrain and France, especially in the fields of electricity, water and renewable energy and  welcomed the decision to hold the meeting in the Kingdom. Chamber Chairman, Jean Christophe Durand and Vice President, Walid Kanoo, members and businessmen were present.