National Economy
The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf. The population of Bahrain is approximately 1.88 million people[1].
In 2022, Bahrain’s economy was ranked 96th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP)[2]. The country’s economy is dependent on the export[3] of refined petroleum, raw aluminum, iron ore, and aluminum wire.
Environmental Policies
In 2017, Bahrain signed the Paris Climate Agreement establishing numerous polices that will contribute to “low greenhouse gas emission and development. “
In 2021, Bahrain set a goal of adopting a circular carbon economy, which is designed to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2060.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 100% of the people in Bahrain had access to electricity[4] In 2021, state-owned, Energy Central Utilities used natural gas (99.97 %) and renewable energy (0.03 %) to generate electricity in Bahrain[5]. Solar was the only renewable energy used to generate electricity in Bahrain in 2021.
The only recent renewable energy project in Bahrain is as follows:
- 18,500 MW Solar Project – In May 2023, the government of Bahrain has announced plans to transform the Khalifa Bin Salman Port into the region’s first fully solar energy-powered seaport.
- 72 MW Solar Project – The government of Bahrain is continuing to evaluate bids to build, own, operate, and maintain a grid-connected solar project with a minimum capacity of 72 MW in the southern region of the nation.
- Transnational Solar Project – The government is continuing discussions with Saudi Arabia to develop a transnational solar project, which could supply Bahrain with 20% of its electricity requirements.
Conclusions
Oil was first discovered in 1931 in Bahrain[6]. In 2021, Bahrain was the 49th largest crude oil exporting country in the world[7].
The export of petroleum and petrochemicals are cornerstones of Bahrain’s economy. In 2021, the export of just refined petroleum generated US $4.28 3.19 Billion for the nation.
Bahrain has significant undeveloped solar and wind energy potential. However, Bahrain has been slow to develop the nation’s renewable resource potential.
Bahrain has recently announced it intends to bring 225 MW of solar capacity on line by 2025. The nation’s renewable energy goal is to bring 700 MW of solar, wind, and waste-to-energy capacity into the power grid by 2030.
Why is Bahrain beginning to develop its renewable energy resources? Economics pure and simple. Bahrain intends to replace the natural gas and oil fueled power plants with solar projects for domestic power, preserving the nation’s valuable hydrocarbon resources. Bahrain is now turning to the sun for power.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jack kerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.
[1] Bahrain Population (2023) – July 1, 2023, www.worldometers.info
[2] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2022 – Worldometer
[3] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Bahrain
[4] World Bank, “Access To Electricity (% Population) – Bahrain
[5] Our World In Data, Bahrain: Energy Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser
[6] Historical Dictionary of the Petroleum Industry by Manius Vassilou, 2009.
[7] Crude Oil Exports By Country 2021 by Daniel Workman