A TENDER for Bahrain’s first solar power plant has been launched by the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA).
EWA president Kamal Ahmed said the 150 megawatts (MW) solar plant, to be built in co-operation with the private sector, will be located near Bilaj Al Jazayer.
“The solar plant is expected to provide electricity for around 6,300 homes and cut carbon emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes annually,” he said.
This would reinforce Bahrain’s long-term commitment to green energy and strengthen the kingdom’s sustainability goals and support to future infrastructure development.
The 1.2sqkm facility will employ state-of-the-art technology to meet the growing demand for energy in the country.
Commercial operations are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2027.
Mr Ahmed and details of the project
“The project is part of national efforts to expand the use of renewable energy and promote environmental sustainability, in line with the kingdom’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060,” added Mr Ahmed.
He stressed that the project represented a key step in strengthening Bahrain’s sustainable energy infrastructure and fostering greater collaboration with the private sector to boost the share of renewables in the national energy mix.
A consortium of international and local consultancy firms has been appointed to oversee the project.
KPMG Fakhro will serve as the financial adviser, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff as the technical adviser, and Trowers & Hamlins as the legal adviser.
The GDN reported last month that an international tender to develop the landmark Sitra Independent Water and Power Production Plant (IWPP) was launched by the EWA.
Once complete, the plant is expected to produce up to 1500 MW of electricity and 30 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of potable water. It will be delivered through a Build-Own-Operate partnership with the private sector.
EWA expects operational testing and initial commercial operations of 600MW and 30MIGD to begin in the second quarter of 2028, with the plant set to reach full capacity by the second quarter of 2029.
Bahrain’s renewable energy generation is expected to reach 300MW over the next three years, said Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Yasser Humaidan in February this year in response to a question by Shura Council member Dr Ali Al Haddad on renewable energy plans and projects.
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