Bahrain has launched an Energy Efficiency Programme (KEEP) in association with the World Bank aimed at making optimal use of energy in order to maintain resources and support development plans and programmes.

The accord was signed by Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and World Bank country director for Mena Farrukh Iqbal, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Shaikh Ahmed said the programme is a further indication of the commitment of the government to values of sustainable development, environmental safety and green economy.

"The significance of this programme comes from the fact that Bahrain has relatively high levels of average electricity consumption per capita in the region, which leaves great room for improving energy efficiency across different consuming sectors in the country," he said.

Shaikh Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the growing co-operation between Bahrain and the World Bank, saying that the expertise of the global institution and its associates will be beneficial to all aspects of the programme, such as setting energy efficiency targets, defining intervention priorities, capacity building, performance monitoring, as well as an overall communication campaign to raise awareness about KEEP's objectives and priorities.

Per capita energy consumption in Bahrain is amongst the highest in the world, reaching 11,800 kilowatt/hour (kWh) in 2012 with a peak demand of slightly over 2,900 megawatt/hour (mWh), said a World Bank release.

By 2020, energy demand is expected to reach 19,706 gigawatt/hour (gWh) with peak demand at 4,312 megawatts, it added.

The programme seeks to reduce inefficient energy consumption in the buildings sector covering residential, commercial, and public buildings.

“The World Bank is leveraging its global expertise to support Bahrain in reducing the inefficient use of electricity through a sustainable national energy efficiency programme,” said Iqbal.

“The programme will set energy efficiency incentives and targets, identify priority interventions, raise awareness, support implementation efforts, and assist in performance monitoring,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service