Hassan Al -Sitry
The Chairman of the Shura Council, Ali Al -Saleh, referred to the Public Utilities and Environment Committee the proposal of a law on renewable energy, and submitted by the members: Talal Al -Mannai, Dalal Al -Zayed, Dr. Muhammad Ali Hassan, Juma Al -Kaabi, and Ali Al -Aradi, which includes a mechanism to receive the surplus of electricity that can be exported to the electricity distribution system
The law aims to achieve the following: 1- Rationalizing the consumption of electric energy and encouraging its production from renewable sources. 2 – Organizing the process of connecting electricity production units from renewable energy to the electricity distribution system.
According to the proposal, the Ministry is working in coordination with the relevant authorities on the following: 1 – Setting a national strategy to develop the renewable energy sector and review it periodically. Based on the recommendation of the authority. The procedures related to the consideration of the grievances stipulated in Article 17 of this law. 9 – Issuing a decision to determine the rules and regulations for the nutrition tariff and the ability to achieve. 10 – Work to ensure that any changes in the tariff or the net measurement system will not negatively affect the efficiency and sustainability of electricity production units of renewable energy. For the relevant authorities.
The body must adhere to the following: 1- Establishing the conditions of linking, reviewing and updating them regularly. His commitment to the provisions of this law and the agreement on linking and taking the necessary measures and measures against violators. 6 – Issuing the energy source certificate for energy produced from renewable energy sources, according to the approved standards and technical. It meets the conditions of linking within the framework of the time period determined by the authority in accordance with the available link ceiling and the absorptive capacity of the nutritional in the concerned region. 9 – Preparing a list of the names of consultants and electrical contractors accredited to the authority in the field of renewable energy.
In cooperation with the competent authorities, the authority establishes an electronic platform that includes the following: 1 – Data and information about investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector. 2 – A list of local companies approved in this field. 3 – Technical guide for consumers on mechanisms for installing and operating renewable energy systems.
Anyone is prohibited from linking the electricity production unit from renewable energy to the electricity distribution system without obtaining prior approval from the authority, in accordance with the controls issued by a decision by the Minister.
The authority organizes, according to the controls it establishes, the procedures for submitting applications for linking to electricity production systems from renewable energy sources, adopting and concluding the linking agreements in them, and the product may not waive his rights or his obligations arising from the linking agreement except in accordance with the controls set by the authority.
The product must adhere to the technical and administrative controls approved by the authority, including those related to designs, installation, operation and linking to production systems with renewable energy, obtaining the necessary approvals from the competent authorities, and adherence to the criteria approved to ensure the safety and efficiency of the electricity distribution system.
The producer is also obligated to cooperate with the authority, enable them to conduct technical examinations, provide the requirements and equipment that it specifies, and adhere to the provisions of this law and decisions issued in implementation of it.
The minister shall issue a decision specifying the provisions regulating the process of consuming and exporting electrical energy produced from electricity production units from renewable energy.
The Minister, based on the recommendation of the authority, may issue the necessary decisions to provide incentives and facilities to individuals and local companies, and these incentives include: 1- Allow consumers who have renewable energy systems using self-consumption and selling the surplus to the national network. Renewed. All renewable energy sources, devices, devices and equipment are exempt, rationalizing energy consumption and production inputs from all customs duties.
On the basis of the commission’s recommendation, the Minister may amend the conditions and controls of linking with electricity production systems from renewable energy sources, including setting or amending the boundaries of the linking, in a manner that guarantees the efficiency and safety of the electricity distribution system.
The decision issued in this regard determines the mechanisms of announcing these amendments and the dates of their enforcement, and the authority is committed to organizing the treatment of applications in accordance with the approved controls.
The authority has the right to cut the linking of the electricity production unit from renewable energy to the electricity distribution system if there is a threat to the security and safety of the electricity distribution system and the electricity network in the Kingdom, and it has to take all reasonable preventive measures.
In the event that it is found to be a violation of any of the provisions of this law or decisions issued in implementation of it or the linking agreement concluded with him or any condition of the linking the notification of the violator in writing of this violation, provided that the notification includes a statement of the violation and its nature, the deadline specified to address it, and the procedures that the commission may take in the event that the situation is not corrected during that time limit.
In the event that the violation is not removed during the specified deadline, and without prejudice to criminal responsibility, the authority may take any of the following measures: 1- The cancellation of the linking agreement.
The staff of the commission, who have the status of the judicial seizure, may control the crimes committed in violation of the provisions of this law and the decisions issued in implementation of it, which are located in their jurisdiction, and are related to the work of their jobs.
The product may be written in writing to the ministry regarding any decisions or measures taken against him in accordance with the provisions of this law, within thirty days from the date of his knowledge of the decision or management taken against him.
The minister must decide on the grievance within thirty days from the date of receiving the grievance, and the missed period is considered without a response as a refusal of grievance.
It is permissible for those who refused to grievance explicitly or implicitly appeal before the competent court within thirty days from the date of notifying him of the decision, or from the date of the consideration of his grievance is rejected.
Anyone who violates the provisions of this law or decisions issued in implementation of a fine not exceeding ten thousand dinars, while obliging the violator to remove the reasons for the violation at his own expense and the proposal comes with a law to achieve a number of goals, the most prominent of which is the following: 1 – Compatibility with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030: Renewable energy is a major axis in achieving the goals of Bahrain Vision 2030, as these projects come to the global shift towards clean energy, To reduce dependence on the traditional sources of energy, in a way that contributes to building a varied and more flexible economy in front of environmental and economic challenges. The proposal for a law comes within the framework of supporting this vision as an important legislative step to enhance its pillars, to create an attractive legislative environment for investment in this field, and accompanies Bahrain international obligations in reducing carbon emissions and a shift towards the green economy, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to a flexible and varied economic building based on innovation and modern technologies.
2- Setting a comprehensive legal framework for the renewable energy sector: The issuance of a law to encourage the use and investment of renewable energy is an important step to complete the decrees and decisions issued that regulate this issue, as it supports the sustainability of the sector, and ensures effective organization in a manner that corresponds to rapid developments in technology and markets. In addition, the issuance of the law gives a greater mandatory nature to the relevant government agencies, companies and individuals, which guarantees the implementation of policies more effectively, and providing a supportive legal basis that enhances cooperation between the government and the private sector in renewable energy projects. It also reflects the proposal in the law of what the Kingdom of Bahrain pays for great interest in this renewed sector, and establishes its progress in a steady pace towards achieving achievements in the field of renewable energy, by setting the foundations Legal that supports the process of producing and consuming renewable energy, to become the Kingdom in the ranks of the leading countries in this field.
3 – Reducing the burden on the consumption of electricity on citizens and beneficiaries in their homes and commercial works: The use of renewable energy is one of the strategic solutions that contribute to reducing the consumption of electricity in homes and businesses, by relying on renewable energy sources so that individuals and institutions can significantly reduce the electricity bill, as these systems contribute to providing part of the energy that the user needs, which reduces their dependence on electricity generated from traditional sources; This reflects positively on citizens and investors, and contributes to reducing operating costs in sectors that depend on great energy consumption.
4- Reducing the burden on the electrical network and saving in the budget of the Ministry of Electricity and Water: By increasing dependence on renewable energy in the generation of electricity, the pressure on the public electrical network will be reduced, as the systems based on renewable energy sources operate independently of the network, or at least partially contribute to generating the electricity needed for users without the need to consume electricity from the public network, and this will lead to improving the operational stability of the electrical network, It reduces the possibilities of additional burdens on them due to the increasing demand, which allows the Ministry of Electricity and Water to provide more financial resources that were spent on producing electricity from fossil fuels, and thus achieving significant and ungrateful in its budget.
5- Achieving energy security: The proposal by a law comes to organize sustainable energy sources away from fossil fuels threatened with depletion, so that the state has a greater ability to ensure the stability of energy supplies through diversification of its sources, and reduces the risks associated with global energy markets.
6- Keeping pace with global development: The proposal to the law of legislative development in the field of renewable energy in the comparative countries is accompanied, especially in developed countries, as it is keen to draw the most important topics that these legislation dealt with in all respects.
7- Supporting local and foreign investments in the field of renewable energy: The renewable energy sector is one of the promising sectors that attract investments; Due to the accelerated growth in technologies and global demand for clean energy, and in this context the proposal of a law seeks to create an investment environment stimulating in the Kingdom of Bahrain by setting clear and transparent legislative and regulatory frameworks that encourage local and international investors to enter into production and use of renewable energy.
8 – Supporting the obligations of the Kingdom of Bahrain in terms of international agreements and treaties for the environment: The Kingdom of Bahrain as an active member of the international community is keen to fulfill its obligations related to environmental protection and confront climate change, and the proposal comes with a law with the aim of supporting the implementation of these international obligations, the most prominent of which is: A- The Paris Climate Agreement 2015, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to achieve the goal of reducing the high temperatures, The Kingdom has committed itself to achieving the “carbon zero neutrality” by 2060, which pushes towards organizing the field of renewable energy. Go goals.- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an agreement aimed at reducing gas emissions and providing solutions to adaptation to climate change D- The Global Initiative of Renewable Energy: An initiative aimed at using renewable energy worldwide. E- The Global Clean Energy Initiative: It is an initiative that calls for the expansion of the use of clean and renewable energy worldwide. An initiative to develop joint ventures for renewable energy within member states.
9- Compatibility with the government work program: The proposal comes in a law compatible with the government’s working program and its specific priorities, as it contributes to achieving the goals of economic recovery and sustainable development through promoting renewable energy and supporting environmental sustainability in line with the government’s future directions.
10 – Positive effects on the local economy: The proposal of a law contributes to supporting the local economy by encouraging and motivating investors and owners of local companies and factories in the field of renewable energy, by granting customs exemptions, granting preference in government projects to manufactured materials in Bahrain, and providing job opportunities for citizens, which is beneficial through improving the economic environment and achieving sustainable development.
11 – Protecting the environment for future generations: The proposal to the law necessary to enhance the sustainability of natural resources, preserving the environment, ensuring the benefit of future generations from them, and finding continuous energy supplies, enabling future generations to face environmental challenges efficiently, and contribute to building a sustainable economy that does not depend on fossil fuels in a framework of justice and balance between economic development and environmental protection.
