|
18 July 2006 - Privatization and expansion of Bahrain's power generation capacity has left the Kingdom with plant output currently exceeding the consumption levels, a senior government official said.
Electricity demand growth is running at 6 to 7 per cent annually. The consumption level stood at 1840 MW last May with four power plants generating about 2229 MW, an official said.
Power plants at Riffa and Sitra, owned by the Ministry of Electricity & Water, have a combined capacity of 825 MW. Plans are underway for refurbishments at these plants.
The first phase of the country's first independent power project, Al Ezzel power plant, on the island of Muharraq, is now operational. It is being built in two phases, with phase 1 which is in operation delivering 470 MW during the summer peak this year and phase 2 bringing in an additional 480 MW commencing next May.
Hidd power and water station, which was sold by the government to a private company earlier this year, has an installed capacity of 960 MW.
The spokesman said the country expects to receive an additional 600 MW from the proposed Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) grid which is set to be operational by 2008.
The rapid expansion of industry and commerce across Bahrain has put pressure on the country's power and water grid infrastructure and investment is being made in modernizing the system.
| 
Articles 
| View all PennWell sites | View all PennWell events
Add RSS Feed
