Imerys aims to install over 8,500 solar panels at its white-fused alumina production plant in Bahrain.

Imerys, a world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industries, has joined hands with Yellow Door Energy, a leading sustainable solutions provider for businesses in the region, to install over 8,500 solar panels at its white-fused alumina production plant in Bahrain.

Located in Hidd, Imerys’ Bahrain unit is a part of Imerys Al Zayani Fused Minerals Company. The alumina plant is being jointly operated by Imerys and Bahraini partner Al Zayani Industries.

For the key project, Midal Solar, a subsidiary of Midal Cables, has been selected as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. Covering a 25,000-sq-m area, the solar plant will be connected to Imerys Al Zayani’s internal distribution network.

In its first year of operation, it will have a capacity of 4,677 kWp and generate 7,600 megawatt-hours of clean electricity, said Imerys.

This will bring significant cost savings and reduce carbon emissions, in particular the carbon footprint of the white fused alumina produced in Bahrain, contributing to Bahrain’s Net Zero by 2060 Initiative.

On being awarded the EPC contract, Sunil Sharma, the General Manager of Midal Solar, said: “We aim to begin construction in the second half and the solar plant is likely to be operational by 2023.”

As the solar developer, Yellow Door Energy is responsible for financing, designing, building, commissioning, operating, and maintaining the solar plant for the duration of the agreement.