Bahrain doing its best to contain carbon emissions

Manama, Apr 27 (BNA): Carbon dioxide emissions, at the heart of environmental degradation, are a concern for the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), its Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina said. Most of Bahrain’s carbon dioxide emission comes from the energy sector, and the power plants of Bahrain contribute the highest level. To reverse this, the SCE is encouraging power plants with a very high efficiency – including those using combined cycle -- which they have executed in most of their power plant, the acting CEO told Bahrain News Agency (BNA). An audit of the carbon dioxide inventory in Bahrain has been carried out by the council. It has also carried out structured speculative modeling of the level of carbon dioxide emission in Bahrain in 2030 should current trends prevail. The study pointed to an increase in emission on the higher side. By introducing higher efficiency solution for all equipment in the power plants and factories, as well as introducing the renewable energy project, the carbon dioxide emission levels in the country can be contained, he added. In its efforts to encourage the development of renewable energy, the SCE with instructions from His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the council signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Masdar of the UAE. A feasibility study of having renewable energy plants in both Al Dour and Howar Island was then carried out. This project, introduced by the chairman of the council, looked at the potentials for solar or wind power plants that could be developed with Masdar. A case study at Hawar, which is currently off the grid, Bin Daina said, since development of sustainable energy using either source there would help in propagation of the concept. Turning to in the inundation of some parts of Bahrain, with a rise in sea level, the acting CEO said: “Bahrain stood little chance of being affected by a sea level rise if the carbon levels could be mitigated. The government is also studying the issue of sea level rising. This gains significance since most of the people live close to the sea and most of Bahrain’s infrastructure is close to the sea as well.” The acting CEO said that the government was keen on clean and quality energy at all times, so that Bahrain’s environmental efforts are sustained. Towards this, subsidies were given to entities pursuing alternate sources of energy and those encouraging green technology, he said. By Arrackal Alexander M