Electricity Minister opens energy conference

Manama, Jan. 27 (BNA): Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza, inaugurated the third International Conference on Renewable Energy under the theme "Green Cities, Sustainable Buildings and Renewable Energy" which was organised by Kingdom University in cooperation with the World Renewable Energy Network (WREN). Heads of companies and senior officials and specialists and more than 150 participants from industrial companies and government bodies in Bahrain attended. Dr. Mirza presented a comprehensive overview of the achievements of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Bahrain, in which he elaborated on the national goals adopted by the government in this regard to achieve specific rates of renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2025 and the formation of a national committee headed by the Minister of Electricity and Water in following up and implementing the National Renewable Energy Plan and the National Plan for Energy Efficiency. It is expected that the implementation of the two plans will lead to the saving of about BD260 million by 2025. The minister also spoke about the net metering system, which allows individuals and organizations to install solar systems at their homes and facilities at their expense, to benefit from the energy produced to meet part of their need for electricity consumption, and to pump the surplus of solar energy production in the government network and get paid for it. He said that the government has also adopted the green building guide, which sets certain conditions - in addition to the current mandatory conditions to make the buildings and facilities green, environmentally friendly and productive. It is worth noting that the Kingdom University organised this international conference for the third time. Local and regional esperts spoke at the conference which focused on presenting research and studies on climate change, waste recycling and entrepreneurship opportunities in sustainable energy.