Bahrain puts the focus on wind and solar

Bahrain has set up a committee to integrate solar and wind power into its grid, with the Gulf state planning to start using renewable energy in less than three years’ time.

The Gulf Daily News reported that the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) chief executive had made the claim at a press conference to discuss the recent link-up between four of the GCC states’ power grids.

"The committee held its first meeting last month where they drew up a plan to develop two solar and wind energy," said Dr AbdulMajaeed Ali Alawadhi, according to the paper .

The committee comprises Industry and Commerce Ministry officials, EWA, National Oil and Gas Authority, Bapco, Alba, Bahrain University and the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife.

"The first phase [of the renewable energies project ] has already started and will finish in a year's time. The second phase, which is the implementation process for the plan, will take another year to complete," said Dr Alawadhi.

"The final phase is studying the outcome of the project's implementation. We expect to start using renewable energy in Bahrain in nearly three years."