Bahrain is taking serious steps to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy use in the kingdom, participants at a recent forum said.
The 4th Energy and Water Conservation Expo and Forum, held under the slogan "Towards Sustainable Development", concluded last week in Manama.
The forum discussed ways to strengthen electricity sector infrastructure, protect the environment and conserve water and energy, among other topics.
Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs Dr. Abdul Hussain Mirza announced during the event a project to build a five megawatt experimental power station that will run on solar and wind energy.
Another project is improving the efficiency of lighting in homes, Mirza said.
The government plans to replace 2 million low-efficiency incandescent light bulbs in the residential sector with bulbs that are 80% more energy-efficient, which could save the kingdom about 11 million dinars ($29.2 million) annually, he added.
The housing ministry has conducted several studies on how to reduce energy leaks in homes through windows and doors, and studies on how to prevent air from seeping in from the outside.
These measures will, over the long-term, support government efforts to rationalize spending and save money on energy consumption.
The kingdom has begun promoting the use of thermal insulating bricks in construction, the use of soft spongy building materials to prevent the loss of air conditioning in summer and the use of energy-saving light bulbs in street lights.
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