A major solar project that could power thousands of homes in the kingdom and provide reliable and sustainable energy is set to be developed at the landfill site in Askar.
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) has launched its tendering process to appoint a qualified contractor to remediate the two square kilometre landfill site, to prepare the plot for the development and implementation of the solar project with a minimum capacity of 100MW.
The project will involve the design and construction of a landfill gas extraction and treatment system that will meet the standards set by the Supreme Council for Environment. It will also include land remediation, the development of gas and leachate management systems, and a drainage system to ensure the site’s readiness for construction and operation of the solar project.
The tender scope also includes site investigations to meet the required performance specification and environmental monitoring of the landfill plot (leachate, groundwater contamination, air emissions, landfill gas treatment etc.) at agreed intervals until 12 months following the completion of the remediation.
EWA president Kamal Ahmed said Bahrain is fully committed to the objectives of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties in Glasgow (COP26) and ultimately actionable goals and investments towards climate change.
“Converting this landfill site to a solar farm capable of producing 100MW is one of many steps the country hopes to execute to realise the objective of bringing carbon emissions in Bahrain to net zero by 2060,” Mr Ahmed said.
The tender document sets out clear requirements of environmental standards to ensure the project adheres to best practice international guidelines, ensuring the safety of the site.
Under a separate tender and in parallel to this project, EWA will be issuing a ‘Request for Proposal (RFP)’ for developing the 100MW solar plant located on the remediated landfill.
With Bahrain’s Economic Recovery Plan, the kingdom plans to target investments worth $30 billion in strategic projects, creating new investment opportunities in infrastructure and priority sectors across the country, including renewable energy sectors such as blue and green hydrogen.
Bahrain has been taking several steps towards embracing green energy.
In August, a 20-year contract was awarded 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 EWA seeks to build solar panels at the Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain University, Exhibition World and Al Dana Amphitheatre.
&uuid=(email))