Bahrain has announced plans to implement the first-of-its-kind solar smart grid in the Middle East region thus paving the way for future smart cities in Gulf.

Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) is implementing five megawatt solar capacity into a wireless smart grid network at Awali area in co-operation with Petra Solar, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Caspian Energy Holdings.

On the ucoming project, Marty Youssefiani, the CEO of Caspian Energy Holdings, said, 'Middle East has for some time evaluated the integration of solar energy for reduction of reliance on non-renewable energy sources. However, Bahrain is among the first in the region to implement a project of this kind, demonstrating a serious commitment to long term solutions.'

The grid circumvents common interconnection issues and costs of traditional solar systems because of its ability to install into the current transmission and distribution infrastructure. Bahrain intends to spread similar sustainable technology across the country in the future, he stated.

'The project in Awali represents just the first step in a series of initiatives by Noga to diversify the sources of energy needed to ensure the sustainable development of the Kingdom,' remarked Minister of Energy Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza.

'Following a successful implementation of this pilot project we expect that other projects will follow in the near future,' he added.

With this project, Bahrain aims to ultimately transform its energy sector into one that is more environmentally friendly, said Gordon Smith, the Bapco chief executive officer.

'The landscape of Awali will be changed by this initiative; but more than the landscape, the operating philosophy of Bapco which relied totally on fossil fuels for generating its electricity, will also change as a result of this project,' he remarked.-TradeArabia News Service