IRENA general assembly opens

Manama, Jan. 14 (BNA): Energy Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza took part in the inauguration of the seventh session of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The minister explained Bahrain's strategy with regard to energy sustainability and finding suitable renewable energy like solar and wind energy. He also spoke of the government's programmes on sustainable energy. The minister spoke about the work of the Sustainable Energy Unit, the National Plan for Energy Efficiency and the National Plan for Renewable Energy. He also discussed the implementation and consolidation of national efforts to achieve targets approved by the Board and legislation to expand the contribution of renewable energyto ensure a secure and sustainable energy future. Participants were told the cost of electricity production through solar energy have dropped to 2.99 US cents per kilowatthour in Dubai and 2.42 US cents per kilowatt-hour in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability is a global gathering that attracts ministers and decision makers in sustainable energy who discuss interrelated challenges of energy and water security, climate change and sustainable development. More than 80 heads of state, ministers and officials from 170 are among 33,000 participants during the week.