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BAHRAIN has taken yet another step towards embracing green energy by launching a new solar panels project.
It features awarding a 20-year contract for local or international bidders to build, own, operate and manage grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) power panels with a minimum capacity of 72MWac in multiple premises in Sakhir, in south of the kingdom.
The tender launched by the Electricity and Water Affairs Ministry seeks to build solar panels in the Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain University, Exhibition World and Al Dana Amphitheatre.
“The solar panels are to be built on the rooftops, car park shades, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, and on the ground of these organisations’ facilities,” said the ministry in a statement yesterday as it launched the tender.
A grid-connected PV system features solar power set-ups that are connected to the main electricity grid, wherein the excess power generated is exported to the utility grid.
This cost-effective renewable energy set-up is popular in the West. It also generates extra credits especially during the summer which can be used to pay down electricity bills in the winter.
“The launch of this tender comes as part of the kingdom’s wider vision to adopt a circular carbon economy, with the aim to bring carbon emissions in Bahrain to net zero by 2060 in line with its national commitments to protect the environment and combat climate change,” said Electricity and Water Affairs minister Yasser Humaidan.
“As affirmed in the national Economic Recovery Plan, Bahrain aims to achieve sustainable economic development that serves future generations.”
To qualify for the tender, bidders need to be engaged in the business of solar PV energy and have successfully commissioned at least 10 grid-tied solar PV projects (out of which at least five are solar PV car park projects).
Additionally, bidders should be commissioned in at least 40 MWac (megawatt alternating current) grid-tied solar PV projects in any country in the last three years (2019-2021).
The closing date of the tender is October 16.
Bidders can obtain more information by visiting the Bahrain Tender Board website www. tenderboard.gov.bh
The kingdom’s Economic Recovery Plan catalyses more than $30 billion of investments in strategic projects, creating new investment opportunities in infrastructure and priority sectors across the kingdom.
In planning these strategic projects, Bahrain is committed to the best international standards necessary to ensure minimal environmental impact.
Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi in March said that more than 2,200 solar panels were installed across public schools in the country as part of a plan being implemented in phases.
He further stated that new educational buildings will be constructed using environmentally friendly materials.
The GDN has previously reported that Bahrain produced 237MW of green energy last year. This included a solar power plant producing 100MW, government buildings with 50MW and single entities like Bahrain University and the new exhibition centre in Sakhir, each producing 15MW.
The others include Electricity and Water Authority (5MW), Bahrain Mall (6.2MW), Awali Project (5MW), Seef Mall (5MW), Edamah-Sitra Mall (3MW), St Christopher’s School (1.25MW), Bahrain International Circuit (3.5MW), King Hamad University Hospital (4MW), Tatweer Petroleum Company (4MW), Al Eman Schools (4MW), King Abdullah Medical City (6MW), General Sports Authority (8MW), Shaikha Mousa School (1MW), Alba (5MW) and Dragon City (10MW).
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, last year pledged Bahrain’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emission targets by 2060 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.
Leading by example, HRH Prince Salman announced a cut in the country’s emissions by 30 per cent by 2035. Other targets include quadrupling mangroves, reducing emissions by 35pc by 2035, doubling plantations, and tripling renewable energy targets.
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