Hassan Al -Sitry
The Speaker of Parliament Ahmad Al -Muslim referred to the Public Utilities and Environment Committee the explanatory note to a proposal to adopt a national plan to switch towards alternative energy in producing electricity by supporting solar energy projects on government buildings, and providing facilities for citizens to install solar energy panels, and encouraging investments in major solar energy stations. According to the explanatory note of the proposal, it comes from national trends to achieve Sustainable development, and the keenness to diversify energy sources, and in line with the goals of Bahrain’s economic vision 2030, with the aim of preserving the Kingdom of Bahrain’s stock of gas and diversifying energy sources, because the Kingdom of Bahrain depends mainly on natural gas in generating electricity, which is a source of depletion and is affected by global fluctuations in its prices and supplies. Investing in solar energy is a strategic step to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, in a way that enhances the Kingdom’s energy security in the long term. The suggested illustrations are justified by the natural abundance of sunlight, where the Kingdom of Bahrain has a high rate of solar radiation throughout the year, which makes it an ideal environment to benefit from solar energy as one of the renewable and free sources to generate electricity, whether on the scale of homes or homes Large projects, adding economic feasibility in the medium and long term, despite the high cost of the initial installation of solar energy systems, they are characterized by low operating and maintenance costs, which leads to reducing the public electricity bill for the government and citizens alike, as well as achieving long -term returns in the long term. The proposal aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve the environment, because the transformation of solar energy contributes to reducing emissions The harm resulting from the combustion of traditional fuel, which supports Bahrain’s international obligations in the Paris Climate Agreement, and contributes to reducing global warming and improving air quality and public health. It also aims to stimulate innovation and create green job opportunities, as expanding solar energy projects will contribute to stimulating investment in clean technology and creating job opportunities in new areas such as designing, installing and maintaining solar systems, including It enhances the development of national competencies and the support of the green economy. The explanatory note mentioned the regional leadership and the benefit of successful experiences, indicating that the Kingdom of Bahrain can benefit from the experiences of the Cooperation Council countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have come a long way in solar energy projects, in order to enhance Bahrain’s position as a regional center for renewable energy and clean technology.
