Bahrain’s approach to achieving a net-zero and sustainable energy future involves harnessing solar, wind and waste resources. The country is prioritising solar energy, and the kingdom has devised innovative plans to leverage solar power for green energy production, including the implementation of floating solar farms, widespread deployment of rooftop solar panels and the establishment of power plants on landfill sites. Energy sector leaders are optimistic that Bahrain will achieve its net-zero commitment by 2060, positioning the kingdom as a frontrunner in sustainable energy.
Plans & Projects
The National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), implemented in January 2017, has set clear goals for the renewables segment. It aims to achieve a renewable energy share of 5% in peak electricity capacity by 2025 and 10% by 2035. The plan was developed by the Sustainable Energy Unit, established by the government in 2014 to collaborate on energy strategies. The NREAP also emphasises Bahrain’s competitive advantages in solar energy.
According to the NREAP, global horizontal irradiance averages around 2120 KWh per sq metre and the average daily sunshine duration is 9.2 hours. Solar energy offers the advantage of flexible and scalable decentralised deployment, making it suitable for when land use competition is high. Implementing solar power has the added benefit of reducing reliance on valuable natural gas resources for electricity generation, allowing for their allocation towards high-value exports.
To achieve the objectives outlined in the NREAP, a target of 200 MW of solar power capacity has been set for 2025, which accounts for approximately 78% of the projected renewable energy capacity. By 2035, as wind and biogas sources become operational, the solar power share is expected to decrease to around 56%. The plan envisions a combination of distributed generation and large-scale solar plants to achieve the targeted solar capacity. The targets set in the NREAP signify a substantial increase from the country’s 2020 renewable energy capacity. According to estimates by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Bahrain’s photovoltaic (PV) capacity was around 10 MW at that time. Large-scale plants offer one way to rapidly scale up renewable energy deployment. One notable project is the Askar landfill site in southern governorate.
Tenders
In September 2022 the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) initiated the tendering process for remedial work on the Askar landfill site. Once the necessary rehabilitation is complete, a 100 MW solar PV plant will be constructed. On the distribution side, Bahrain has adopted a net metering system, allowing businesses and individuals to install solar systems and supply excess electricity to the EWA grid. This encourages wider adoption of solar energy by incentivising individuals and organisations to invest in solar power generation.
In February 2023 the Southern Municipal Council proposed that solar PV panels should be made mandatory for new buildings. These buildings would then be connected to the grid through net metering systems. Building on these efforts, the government introduced a scheme to install PV panels on all suitable public constructions. By mid-2021 around 24 ministries were actively engaged in this initiative, including the Ministry of Education which installed panels on school buildings.
In January 2023 EWA considered proposals for a build, own, operate and maintain tender for 72 MW of rooftop solar panels. The capacity was planned to be installed on the rooftops of several prominent locations, including the Bahrain International Circuit, the University of Bahrain, The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and the Al Dana Amphitheatre. Additionally, in March 2023 Aluminium Bahrain, the largest aluminium smelter globally outside China, secured a BD1.6m ($4.3m) loan to finance a 6 MW rooftop solar PV project. This project aims to install solar panels on a total area of 37,000 sq metres. Other initiatives included the installation of solar panels at The Avenues mall and the Bahrain Mall.
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