BAHRAIN is on track to diversify sources of energy in the coming years, it has been revealed.
Details of a diversification plan were contained in the Electricity and Water Authority’s (EWA) end-of-year report which stressed the importance of seeking alternative sources of energy.
By 2030 Bahrain’s need for energy will double from 15.4 terawatts (TW) per hour to 57.6TW per hour, said the report adding that in the summer the demand will go up to almost 6,000 megawatts (MW) from 3,572MW.
The report also said that by 2030 Bahrain could get 10 per cent of the total energy needed from renewable sources.
“Bahrain has recognised the importance of diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on electricity and traditional resources for electricity and water production in line with National Economic Vision 2030,” it said.
“We are currently in the process of implementing a project to assess solar and wind power by establishing a 5MW plant for integrated technologies.
“The project in Al Dur area in the southern province will assess the effectiveness of these sources in Bahrain’s conditions for large-scale applications in the future.”
The report also focused on turning waste into energy as one of the EWA’s alternative energy resources, as Bahrain is considered the highest waste-producing country in the GCC by producing 1.5 million tons of solid waste per year.
A project is being developed in Askar to transform waste into energy, with technologies such as an incinerator which treats 390,000 tons of solid waste annually, which can generate up to 30MW of electricity.
The report also included a seven-step renewable energy plan, first of which was establishing a solar energy plant south of Slab which can generate 100MW, followed by installing solar energy panels on government buildings which can generate a total of 50MW.
The third step will be setting up panels on existing government housing projects which can generate a total of 30MW, with the next step being setting up the panels on new government housing projects, which can generate a total of 10MW.
The fifth step will be generating 50MW through wind power while the sixth step will be setting up a station that generates energy through garbage and waste from the Tubli Water Treatment station, adding a further 30MW.
The seventh, and last, step will be establishing renewable energy systems on major projects such as project service roads and railways.
The 100MW solar power plant, which will be developed in collaboration with the private sector, is expected to be operational in 2019.
The project is part of the National Energy Efficiency Plan and the National Renewable Energy Plan.
This goal, which is expected to be fulfilled in 2025, will drive a wide range of energy and power initiatives across the kingdom.
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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