Press releases – Sustainable Energy Authority

SEU launches the first training workshop for energy efficiency applications and solutions

Under the Patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza SEU launches the first training workshop for energy efficiency applications and solutions

Under the patronage of Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, the Sustainable Energy Unit, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), launched the first training workshop for energy efficiency applications and solutions on Sunday, 29 July 2018, as part of the Unit’s efforts to support the institutional capacity building of the Kingdom’s energy sector.

The workshop was attended by a number of local specialized companies and is designed and delivered by a leading European consultancy company with sound expertise in the energy efficiency assessments for large industries and small and medium enterprises within the framework of energy efficiency legislation.

On this occasion H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza stated “The workshop is part of a number of other initiatives included in the national renewable energy action plan and the national energy efficiency action plan, and is an important part of the ongoing efforts to promote energy efficiency, encourage energy discipline and energy efficiency practices, build local institutional capacities and promote energy efficiency as the lifestyle of choice in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The workshop aims to develop and consolidate local capacities in the field of energy auditing and to ensure a consistent standard for the assessment of buildings and facilities in line with international standards and the use of the best technologies and solutions in the field. It also helps contracted auditors familiarize themselves with a newly developed framework for energy audits.”

Dr. Mirza also further elaborated “there is a large global market for energy service providers, who specialize in energy audits of industrial, residential and other facilities. The institutional capabilities in the Kingdom, though relatively developing, are promising and will be expected to cater to the increasing public demand and climatic conditions that make energy efficiency a necessity.”

The workshop is held through for five days from 29^th July to August 2^nd, 2018 and combines academic and practical training. The work shop program included interactive lectures and discussions during the first three days and practiced their lessons learned over the later two days through implementations carrying out energy audits for the selected public use facilities.

Please click on the following link Press_Energy_Audits بالعربي to read the Arabic version of this press-release.

Minister Mirza inaugurates the second solar PV systems installation training course for contractors and consultants

H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, today inaugurated the second Solar PV Installers Certification Training Course for Contractors and Consultants which was held in EWA’s training center in Sitra. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Amin El Sharkawi, UNDP Resident Representative, a number of officials and about 60 participants, including a number of staff from the Electricity & Water Authority. The training course is organized by the Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) in cooperation with the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) and with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The course aims to qualify contractors and consultants specializing in the installation of solar PV systems, to later become certified installers by the Electricity & Water Authority. The SEU is delegated by the government of Bahrain to contribute towards the institutional capacity building of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector as part of its mandate, and an important part of the Kingdom’s strategy to implement and promote renewable energy development in the country.

In his welcome address to the attending officials, participating contractors and consultants, H.E. Minister Mirza commended the success of the first training course back in January 2018, and the positive results that reflected on the investment market in the field of renewable energy. H.E. also shared that EWA has thus far received around 20 applications to install solar PV systems since the endorsement of the Net Metering Policy in December 2017 and the first training course in January 2018. Ten solar PV systems installed over residential units have already been connected to the grid and around ten more will shortly follow. The Minister added that the Kingdom’s remarkable achievements in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency also included: the adoption of the Net Metering Policy, the start of the implementation of the utility scale solar plant with the capacity of 100 megawatts. There are also plans to implement decentralized solar PV installations on the roofs of government buildings through the adaptation of the Tender Based Feed in Tariff Policy being developed by the Sustainable Energy Unit in collaboration with the Ministry of works, Municipal Affairs & Urban Planning.

These recent developments have positively contributed towards increasing the kingdom’s attraction for foreign and domestic investments in renewable energy sector and were reported in the first national voluntary report for the Kingdom of Bahrain on the implementation of the sustainable development goals 2030. The report will be presented by a high-level delegation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in July 2018.

H.E. Dr. Mirza also highlighted that the launch of the second session of the training course reconfirms the government’s commitment to encourage the use of clean energy in the country, promote sustainable development, and deliver on the national and international related obligations, such as the sustainable development goals, particularly the SDG7.

Dr Mirza added that the second training course is offered through two renewable energy specialized companies, J Lanka Technologies and CESI, and aims to provide a high-level training and diversify experiences and lessons learned offered for the trainees.

At the end of his speech, the Minister thanked the Sustainable Energy Unit, the officials of the Electricity and Water Authority, and the two consulting companies for their cooperation and efforts, which contributed to the continuation of this course and wished the participants success in the training program and in their future endeavors.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) H.E. Amin Al-Sharkawi also extended his congratulations to Minister Mirza on the record achievements of the Kingdom. H.E. Amin also added that the first national voluntary report of the Kingdom of Bahrain has a significant impact on the Kingdom’s achievements and commitment to achieving the sustainable development goals, especially the seventh goal related to clean energy.

This training course was run for five consecutive days for contractors and consultants. Passing consultants and contractors will then be awarded a certificate that allows them to complete accreditation procedures with the Electricity & Water Authority.
The next batch for the training course will be announced for in the SEU website and social media accounts in due time. Announcements will also be featured in the local newspapers and on the UNDP website and EWA website.

The launch of the first Wind Atlas of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza – Minister of Electricity & Water Affairs, the Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) is delighted to cordially invite you to the launch of the first Wind Atlas of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on the 12^th April 2018 at 11:00 in the Gulf Hotel Conventions Centre.

The Wind Atlas launch marks an important milestone for the Kingdom in the areas of renewable energy, enhances the understanding of wind energy potential, creates new market opportunities and positively contribute towards achieving the national renewable energy targets.

Banking sector discusses financing schemes for renewable energy systems in Bahrain

Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, the Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and in cooperation with the Economic Development Board (EDB) organized last week 22^nd February 2018 the workshop on Designing Financing Schemes for Decentralized Solar PV Systems for Bahrain’s banking sector. The workshop follows the Cabinet endorsement of the Net Metering Resolution on 28 December 2017 and is an integral part of the strategy to implement and promote renewable energy development in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The workshop discusses details of the Net Metering Policy and its implications for the banking sector. The Net Metering Resolution enables all residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Kingdom of Bahrain to install solar systems and connect them to EWA electricity network. The banking sector has an instrumental role in this process as it supports the successful implementation of the policy and facilitate the uptake of solar energy market in the Kingdom.

Enhancing banks’ capacity to design and to implement Policy-specific financing schemes will allow the sector to tap into a new market and positively enable Bahrain to achieve the national goals. The workshop also provides an excellent opportunity for the banking sector to meet leading experts in the areas of finance, investment and renewable energy and discuss their contribution to building a sustainable future.

This event is the first in the series of workshops tailored to meet the needs and interests of the banking sector in Bahrain. The increasing demand in renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions in Bahrain creates great investment opportunities and a demand in accessible financing schemes for local, regional and international enterprises.