Bahrain to Build Largest PV project, Mobilize More Private Capital To Participate In Renewable Energy Projects

According to foreign media reports, Bahrain has signed an agreement to build its largest solar power project in the Sakhir region in southern Bahrain, with an expected installed capacity of 72 megawatts. The move marks a major step towards Bahrain's goal of zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Bahrain is the smallest oil producer in the Gulf region, and reducing its overreliance on fossil fuels is crucial to the local economy.

According to Statista, Bahrain will have the highest per capita CO2 emissions in the world in 2021 at 26.7 tons per person. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Middle Eastern country had just 10 MW of installed PV capacity by the end of 2020.

To achieve sustainable economic development, Bahrain 's Ministry of Electricity and Water has launched a tender to award a 20-year contract to a local or international company to build, own, operate and maintain a capacity in the Sakhir region of at least 72 megawatts of solar power projects .

Bahrain's Minister of Electricity and Water, Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, said the move was part of Bahrain's Renewable Energy Action Plan, which aims to increase the share of clean energy in the country's power mix to 5% by 2025 and to 20% by 2035.

The project covers a range of solar systems and will include rooftop and ground-mounted solar power systems, as well as electric vehicle charging stations at the Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain University, Bahrain World Fair and Al Dana Amphitheatre.

Humaidan emphasized that the construction of the project will help save overall energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, which is in line with Bahrain's goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2060 and contributes to sustainable economic development. The minister added that investment in all renewable energy projects will be scaled up in partnership with the private sector.

According to its forecast, the solar power project will account for 28% of Bahrain's goal of 250 megawatts of renewable energy generation by 2025, and will also help Bahrain achieve its commitment of 700 megawatts of power capacity generated from solar, wind and waste by 2030.