Bahrain eyes power grid connection to UAE by 2011

Bahrain is on course to connect its electricity grid to the UAE by January 2011 if not earlier, according to the CEO of the kingdom's electricity and water authority (EWA).

Dr Abdulmajeed Ali Alawadhi said that the GCC interconnection project had not been affected by the global financial slowdown.

"On July 27, Bahrain's energy grid was connected to Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar," he said in an interview with research firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).



"The next phase will see connection with the UAE in early 2011. The issue of interconnection to Oman is being finalised and it is hoped that the network interconnection to Oman will be operational immediately after UAE."

Alawadhi added that alternative energy was also under the spotlight in Bahrain following a decision to develop solar and wind plant facilities in the kingdom.

"Solar and wind are available worldwide as a commercially viable solutions," he told OBG. "A small solar wind plant will be built to produce electricity both to use as a prototype and to be commercially viable."

Although financing of infrastructure projects has been an issue for private companies responsible for power and water projects in Bahrain, Alawadhi remained upbeat that the works would now gather pace.

"We are working with the private developers to solve the finance issues they had with the banks so that Bahrain's energy infrastructure projects remain on track," he said.

"Some of the private sector's electricity and water projects were delayed because financing fell through when the crisis hit. However, the financing is now in place and the projects are moving ahead."