CESI, technical consulting and engineering firm, has announced that it will develop technical and strategic regulatory requirements related to connecting distributed renewable energy resources into Bahrain?s national electricity grid owned by Electricity and Water Authority Bahrain (EWA)
Bahrain?s Sustainable Energy Unit?s (SEU) key objectives are to create an efficient and sustainable energy policy, encourage the use of renewables and raise awareness towards energy conservation.
During the meeting, the minister of electricity and water affairs Abdul-Hussain Ali Mirza welcomed CESI?s recent appointment in its leading role to work closely with the SEU as a lead consultant in the technical integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems across Bahrain.
Mirza said, ?Within the government entities including in our case, the EWA, active steps are being undertaken by all stakeholders, in all aspects of energy sustainability including the focus to support initiatives centered on the enhancement of energy efficiency and achieving clean energy production through the promotion of renewable energy deployment.
He further elaborated, ?CESI was selected after careful evaluation of a number of bids for this extensive and important assignment, and was based on the company?s track record and expertise in this undertaking, which makes it a perfect fit to support the country in building a solid and sustainable framework moving forward.?
The minister went on to explain that Bahrain has increasingly recognised the growing importance of renewable energy as demand increases. In particular, solar PV systems have been a particular focus of interest for the country.
In this most recent development, SEU has tasked CESI with finding solutions, which include connecting renewable generation projects, increasing solar distributed generators and providing recommendations to speed up the growth of the PV market. Other aspects will be to monitor and control PV generators, how they communicate with each other, and provide recommendations on implementing a modified billing invoicing procedure.
Mirza also stressed on CESI?s specific goals including primarily to develop the grid connection guidelines and standards for decentralised solar PV systems designed for low and medium voltage distribution networks; develop all the necessary fire, safety and other international compliance measures; and to develop an accurate certification process and the entailing training programs.
CESI?s CEO Matteo Codazzi said, ?Based on our experience, a holistic and long-term approach to system design is key when planning variable renewables integration. Each country?s power system is unique and needs a specific approach. In this respect, we are honoured to put our extensive global expertise at the service of Electricity Utility in Bahrain in order to support them in designing and implementing a technically solid and easily actionable PV integration plan, tailored on the specific needs of Bahrain?s power grid?.
Minister Mirza explained that in October 2016, the government endorsed Bahrain?s National Plan for Energy Efficiency (NEEAP) and the National Plan for Renewable Energy (NREAP); via the cabinet Resolution Number 2384/8, including detailed initiatives and the stakeholder?s responsibility in each of the action plans. The Government approved the following principal targets in January 2017: a six per cent national electrical energy efficiency by the year 2025; a five per cent contribution from renewable energies by the year 2025, rising further to 10 per cent by the year 2035.
?This most recent project in Bahrain is a new milestone in the key developments we have been awarded since the establishment of our regional headquarters in Dubai five years ago. With regard to the Bahrain?s Sustainable Energy Unit?s key objectives to create an efficient energy policy in order to secure the country?s future economic growth, CESI will use the most emerging and innovative processes and technologies to keep Bahrain at the forefront of the PV energy market? said Floris Hendrikus Schulze, managing director, CESI Middle East FZE.
