Bahrain's Electricity Minister chairs National Committee meeting

Manama, (BNA): Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza chaired the 10th meeting of the National Committee to follow up the implementation of the energy efficiency and renewable energy plan. Members of the committee, comprising of senior officials from several ministries and relevant government bodies, took part. Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Stefano Pettinato was also present. The meeting follows the latest developments in the project of green buildings, central cooling, benefiting from the roofs of government buildings, and the project of the 100 megawatts solar power plant. The minister welcomed the participants and appreciated the leadership and the Government for their continued support and interest in encouraging the use of clean energy and seeking to improve energy efficiency to achieve comprehensive sustainable development. A number of topics on the agenda, including green buildings approved by the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, were reviewed. The Green Building Guide aims at rationalizing energy consumption in buildings and 20 to 30 per cent of electricity and conservation of natural resources. The initiative is implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs, Urban Planning, Electricity and Water Authority and the Ministry of Housing. They also discussed the latest developments in the project of constructing a solar power plant with a capacity of 100 megawatts in partnership with the private sector and the steps taken to accomplish the project. The meeting discussed the developments of the central cooling project for large buildings and establishments, as well as the latest developments of the project to take advantage of the roofs of 559 government buildings for the installation of solar energy systems. The Chairman of the Committee and each member provided the latest updates to the time plan and the detailed plan for the implementation of the initiatives and programmes assigned to them in both the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Plan (NREAP). The Minister thanked the members of the National Committee for following up the implementation of the national plans for energy efficiency and renewable energy for their effective participation and submission of their detailed reports and constructive suggestions. The next meeting will be held two months later.