Bahrain has launched the  tendering process to award a 20-year contract to local or international developers to build, own, operate and maintain grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a minimum capacity of 72 MWac in multiple premises located in Sakhir, south of the kingdom.

The tender was launched by the Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs, as it seeks to install solar panels in the Bahrain International Circuit, University of Bahrain, Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre and Al Dana Amphitheatre. The panels will be erected on the rooftops, car-park shades, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and on the grounds of these organisations’ facilities.

To qualify for the tender, bidders need to be engaged in the business of PV solar energy and have successfully commissioned at least 10 grid-tied solar PV projects (out of which at least five should be car-park projects). Additionally, bidders should be commissioned in at least 40 MWac grid-tied solar PV projects in any country globally in the last three years (2019-2021).

Yasser bin Ebrahim Humaidan, Bahrain’s Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, said: “The launch of this tender comes as part of the kingdom’s wider vision to adopt a circular carbon economy, with the aim to bring carbon emissions in Bahrain to net zero by 2060 in line with its national commitments to protect the environment and combat climate change.

“As affirmed in the national Economic Recovery Plan, Bahrain aims to achieve sustainable economic development that serves future generations.”

Bidders can obtain tendering documents and submit proposals through the Bahrain Tender Board website.