Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects Chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said that Bahrain’s positive and rapid economic growth in the prosperous reign of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, have been accompanied by a strong drive to provide high-standard infrastructure through strategic projects, especially in the electricity and water areas.
The government’s belief in the importance of electricity and water as important sources of energy, and the backbone of other services and other sectors, prompted it through the Electricity and Water Authority to plan and implement quality projects worth more than $1.53 billion during the past decade and others being implemented, Shaikh Khalid said as he chaired the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects.
Electricity and Water Minister Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak briefed the meeting on the projects to develop the electricity and water networks.
Shaikh Khalid thanked Al Mubarak and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) Chief Executive Officer Shaikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and the personnel for their efforts to implement the government’s program for the 2019-2022 related to the development of electricity and water networks that would secure a supportive environment for sustainable development, enhance the readiness of energy and water infrastructure and raise the efficiency and sustainability of the services provided.
The EWA projects aim to ensure that energy reaches all regions of the Kingdom and that it is regularly and sustainably supplied with this vital service to meet the current and future needs of the residential, investment, commercial, industrial and other sectors, Shaikh Khalid said.
“We have the right to be proud of the EWA high completion rates of 78% as an average of implementing its projects within the current government program until May,” he said.
Projects reviewed during the meeting include the 400 kV Electricity Transmission Network Development Project at a cost of $740 million (Completed).
A 220-kV electricity transmission network development project (Phase 1) at a cost of $200 million (96% completed). It is scheduled to be completed in 2021 and aims to develop the 220- and 66-kV electrical transmission network to meet the growing demand for electricity and the transmission of electrical energy generated from power plants to industrial, commercial and residential centers in Bahrain.
The 220- and 66-kilovolt electricity transmission network development project for housing projects – (Phase Two) at a cost of $200 million (52% completed).
The construction of electricity transmission stations for Al Ramli housing project at a cost of $50 million (55% completed).
The infrastructure development project on Hawar Islands at a cost of $193 million (40% completed). It aims to provide Hawar Islands region with the electricity it needs for future urban development and all vital facilities on the islands.
The project to construct a water distribution station for the Ramli housing project at a cost of $30 million. The project is 30% completed and is expected to be finished in 2023.
The project to develop water transmission networks in Salman Town, Khalifa Town and East Hidd at a cost of $70 million. Started in 2021, it is expected to be completed in 2023. It is currently 30% completed.
The project to develop a water transmission network (Busaiteen and Juffair) at a cost of $50 million dollars. It was completed in 2020.
