Bapco, Awali: The $27million solar energy pilot project’s commissioning reflects the continued commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain to secure energy security, according to Bapco Chairman.
“Bahrain, like other nations, is facing energy security challenges, climate changes and economic developments through partnerships and global cooperation towards finding long term economic solutions,” Bapco’s Chairman of the Board, Adel Khalil Al-Moayyed said.
He was speaking as he opened the 5 Mega Watt Bahrain Solar Energy Pilot Project during a ceremony at Awali.
“Bapco has confirmed once again its serious commitment as a key national establishment in supporting such significant initiatives for the future of the Kingdom through the implementation of this leading national project,” he added.
Al-Moayyed hailed the dedicated efforts of the Management of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), in collaboration with Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), and University of Bahrain (UoB), lauding the high efficiency in safety performance through the successful completion of 0.5 million man-hours without lost time injury (LTI).
The project with life cycle of 20 years was completed with the total cost of $27 million and is seen as a model project by positioning Bahrain to replicate this model for other countries in the region.
The Minister of Finance, Minister in Charge of the Oil and Gas Affairs, Chairman of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa has delegated Bapco’s Chairman, to inaugurate the solar project.
As part of its ongoing efforts to support and implement national initiatives of the Kingdom and in collaboration with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) has adopted this initiative to enhance the improvement of the clean energy generation file through the application of solar energy technologies.
The project contributes to the establishment of renewed energy industries as part of the national economy in the near future, in addition to the creation of job opportunities and a new industry at the domestic market, as well as reducing the reliance on the natural gas.
In support of such significant initiatives, the Bahrain Petroleum Company Bapco has adopted and implemented the pilot project to generate 5 megawatt solar energy units at Awali, the Refinery and University of Bahrain (UoB).
The project has been implemented at a total cost of US$ 27 million as part of the continued efforts of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) in supporting the national initiatives which aim at dealing with critical environment issues through reconsideration of resources management and improved renewed energy utilization.
The detailed design along with Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works of the project have been completed through Petra Solar of USA, the consultant and lead contractor for the project.
The project has successfully developed and generated power through solar energy and smart grid applications which enhance the reliability and safety of the power distribution network with increased efficiency covering the production and management of the smart network for power distribution.
Additionally, the project contributes to enhancing the efforts of sustainability and preservation of environment, and aims at ensuring the transfer of knowledge, research and advanced technologies, as well as the training of national calibers and qualification of local contractors for the installation, operation and maintenance of these advanced systems, the matter which helps creation of new job opportunities in the field of renewed energy in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The project is a fruitful outcome of the joint efforts between the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), in collaboration with Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), and University of Bahrain (UoB).
Bapco’s Chairman of the Board was accompanied at the inauguration ceremony by Bapco’s Members of the Board of Directors, Members of the Executive Management, and senior officials of establishments and organizations which contributed to the full implementation of the project.