Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza delivered the keynote address at the Economic Council hosted by Bahrain Businesswomen Association yesterday.
President of the Association Ahlam Janahi and members were present.
The minister thanked and appreciated the leadership and the government for their keen interest in encouraging investment in clean energy in pursuit of sustainable development, one of the priorities of the axis of environment and urban development.
The minister also spoke of the important steps taken by the government in its endeavour to set up the Sustainable Energy Unit in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme.
This unit is concerned with encouraging investment in renewable energies such as solar energy. Renewable energy is expected to be five per cent of the total energy consumed in Bahrain by 2025, and is expected to increase to 10 per cent by 2035.
The minister said the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) and the National Renewable Energy Plan (NREAP) were approved earlier this year. A national committee for the implementation of the plans and initiatives has also been formed. The committee is chaired by the minister of Electricity and Water Affairs and includes senior officials from all ministries and related government agencies.
Dr. Mirza thanked and appreciated the Bahrain Businesswomen Association for hosting the event. He also praised their active efforts and their positive contribution to the advancement of all sectors and in all local and regional forums, praising the partnership.
He stressed the support of the electricity, water and renewable energy sector to the association. The minister later answered the questions.
The attendees expressed their thanks and gratitude to the minister for his positive response and his approval to be a keynote speaker, wishing him success and Bahrain further development and prosperity.