Solar energy system inaugurated

Manama, Dec. 12 (BNA): Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza inaugurated the solar energy system at Jaffriya Waqf Building in Seef. It is Bahrain’s first governmental building to use solar power. This came in conjunction with the celebrations of Bahrain’s National Day and the Accession Day of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on December 16 and 17. The minister congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the modern Bahraini state in 1783 AD, and the 47th anniversary of its accession to the United Nations as a full member as well as the 19th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to power. Dr. Mirza said the initiative is in line with the directives of the leadership and the government in their interest in encouraging the use of clean energy, diversifying its sources and seeking to improve energy efficiency for the overall sustainable development of Bahrain. He thanked and appreciated the Electricity and Water Authority and the Sustainable Energy Unit For their cooperation with the administration of the Jaffriya Endowments Board and the Solar One factory to complete this project. He said that the government is keen to encourage investment in renewable energies such as solar and wind energy, and raise energy efficiency in accordance with the national targets. He said this is part of the project to install solar systems on the roofs of 535 government buildings. "We are seeking to expand the use of wind energy, especially since Bahrain launched last April the first wind atlas, which is a tangible indicator on the ground for the implementation of the national plan for renewable energy and energy efficiency." The minister pointed out that the Jaffriya Endowments Directorate is one of the first institutions in the nucleus of the modern state, which was founded in 1928 and today is witnessing initiatives within the first government agencies that implement the project to take advantage of solar energy to generate electricity. "Today, we celebrate the operation of this building as the first governmental building that operates with solar and wind energy systems in a unique initiative that is in line with the government's directives in this field." The minister expressed his pride in such national initiatives supporting the government's directives, while stressing the full support of encouraging the utilization of renewable energy resources in the pursuit of Bahrain’s national objectives. The minister congratulated the Directorate employees under the chairmanship of His Eminence Sheikh Mohsen Al Asfour, for the achievement and pioneering initiative, wishing them success in serving Bahrain. Sheikh Mohsen Al-Asfour said that the solar system in the management building in Al-Seef district as the first government building in Bahrain is in accordance with the directives of the Government of Bahrain using clean and renewable energy in preparation for expanding the use of this technology. He said the launch of this project comes in conjunction with the celebration of the 47th National Day and the Accession Day of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He said such projects contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable social and economic development in line with the Bahrain 2030 Vision. He expressed his sincere greetings and congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the government, and the Bahraini people on the occasion. He praised the generous patronage of Dr. Mirza for launching the system in the building. He pointed out that the issue of energy use has been a high priority in Bahrain as part of its keenness on sustainability and investing opportunities.  He said the establishment of the Sustainable Energy Unit in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote investment in renewable energies such as solar energy was an important step. "We commend the great efforts exerted by the minister, the Sustainable Energy Unit, the Electricity and Water Authority, and members of the National Committee," he said. He said the Directorate has approved the implementation of pilot projects in this aspect through activating the use of renewable energy in the houses of worship, religious establishments and its properties including mosques, mukhtas and investment properties.  He said this would contribute to the development of its own technologies in the supply of the national electricity network and reduce the burden on the state and the administration, while generating new income for places of worship. He said the project would be implemented at the Sheikh Abdullah Mosque in the village of Al-Daih and Al-Kuwailiya Mosque in the village of Buri. It has also been launched at the ma’atam of Maatam bin Shabib in the northern region of Al-Sahla.  He praised the efforts of Solar One company and expressed his appreciation to Rami Khalifa, Chairman of Solar One. He also praised the efforts of the Acting Director of Endowment Department Ali Mirza Khamis. He explained that 300 solar power panels would be installed in the building, including 232 fixed plates and 68 mobile plates. The electric power generated from each plate would be 300 watts, and a total of 90 kilowatts of production capacity per day, which is 900 units per day. He said the installation of the solar system will save BD700 per month. The capital and the cost of installation of the solar system will be recovered in four and a half years.  "We have introduced the wind power system using wind turbines. Ten turbines have been installed as the first batch, producing 1,200 watts per turbine, and we will double them in the near future after ensuring their feasibility and success in terms of ensuring generation and production. "Continuous and round-the-clock availability of tropical wind in most periods due to the proximity of the building to the seafront is an asset." He said stressed on the importance of research and innovation in strengthening the government's directions and accelerating the pace of adopting more in order to benefit from this useful and useful energy.  "We have been working with Fab Lab to build a specialized centre for all alternative energy issues and promote them in our communities and manufacture what is possible.  "We wish to develop this experience and to disseminate it in the future gradually on the mosques, mansions and other properties in Bahrain and we look forward to the generalization of this experience about 2000 real estate projects." Later, the minister toured the premises to inspect the facilities of the building and set up the solar power system to launch the project.