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New body to pave the way for investment
in solar power and wind farms.

Bahrain to set up green energy watchdog

MANAMA, December 21, 2014

Bahrain is preparing to open the door to alternative power providers with the setting up of a new watchdog to oversee the green energy sector, a senior government official said.

A proposal to establish a National Renewable Energy Regulatory Authority is due to be presented to Bahrain's Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza told the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication, in an exclusive interview.

He said the new body, which would be independent from the ministry, would pave the way for investment in solar power and wind farms.

"Bahrain will soon open its doors for investments in the renewable energy field, whether solar or wind, and for that we need a regulator to help with licensing and monitoring as those interested from across the globe are set to enter," revealed Dr Mirza.

"It is a completely new concept and altogether something never witnessed before in Bahrain, despite work being carried out in a number of renewable energy projects. The new body will be independent, despite being chaired by the concerned minister, and will ensure a competitive market as private providers work to produce energy.

"The issue will first be studied by the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission before the necessary bill is drawn up for presentation to the Cabinet and later on the National Assembly."

Bahrain has already launched a pilot renewable energy project with a solar power plant producing five megawatts of electricity for Bapco, Awali and the nearby Bahrain University coming online earlier this year.

Work on a similar pilot project to produce five megawatts of electricity using both solar and wind power is due to commence around the middle of next year.

"We have a new mult-million dinar project for five megawatts of renewable energy near Al Dur Jetty, which is close to Al Dur Power Plant, and will produce three megawatts of solar and two megawatts of wind power," said Dr Mirza.

"It is a pilot project that will help us decide on future steps, especially continuing with wind energy.

"Previous tests - notably experiments done by a Japanese company on wind velocity - have shown success, but it is still early to say that it could be used on a vast spectrum for commercial purposes in the coming years.

"In regard to solar power, we have successfully managed to get electricity produced by the sun integrated within the local electricity network after we found it to be compatible with that produced by gas."

The minister said the Tender and Auctions Board was now reviewing bids for the multi-million dinar project.

"Whenever we get the technical evaluation sorted and a winner is selected early next year, then a contract will be signed without delay as we are looking to start work by mid next year - despite necessary legislation organising the sector not out yet," said Dr Mirza.

"We can now work with ministerial decisions approved by the Cabinet until we introduce regulations." – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | Renewable energy | solar power | wind farms |

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