Solar power to light up Mosques

Manama : A deal has been reached with Solar One Company to provide houses of worship and Waqf properties with solar energy systems, said Electricity and Water Affairs ministry in a statement. 

Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, the Electricity and Water Affairs Minister signed the agreement with the Jafari Endowment Authority for the Solar One Company. 

The move, Dr Mirza said, “would improve energy efficiency and conservation” drive and will contribute to achieving the national goal of five per cent of energy use being solar by the year 2025.

The Minister also hailed the interest and personal follow-up of Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa in utilizing solar energy in mosques and other religious establishments. 

The long-term agreement, according to the Minister, entails the installation of solar electricity production systems on its buildings in the Seef region and later on its properties around
Bahrain. 

“This would also improve energy efficiency and conservation,” the Minister said adding that this, however, is not the first of its kind initiative in the Kingdom. “In the past, such a system has been installed at one of the establishments in the northern region last year, in coordination with the Electricity and Water Authority and the Sustainable Energy Unit.”

The minister applauded the efforts of the Department of Endowments, headed by Shaikh Mohsen Al Asfour and all officials and employees on their initiatives in this area. He also thanked Solar One, under the leadership of Chairman of the Board of Directors Rami Khalifa, for his efforts.