Italian consulting and engineering company, CESI will be focusing mainly on the development of rooftop solar in Bahrain, Dr Floris Hendrikus Schulze, Managing Director of CESI Middle East, told Climate Control Middle East.

Earlier in July 2017, Bahrain’s Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs had appointed CESI to support the country’s sustainable energy endeavours.

“We are going to support Bahrain on renewables, primarily in developing rooftop solar,” he said. “Our focus is not on other aspects of sustainability, such as green labelling, energy efficiency, etc. However, we will serve as facilitators to organise activities and lend our knowledge and experience.”

Schulze noted that the rooftop solar PV programme will be instrumental in meeting Bahrain’s goal of achieving five percent contribution from renewable energies by 2025, rising to 10% by 2035. The implementation, however, is the sole responsibility of the ministry, he said.

One of the critical components of the contract is stakeholder management, he said. “We want to make sure that all the stakeholders – the ministry, municipality, and those involved in mechanical and electrical regulatory sectors – need to participate in this project to make sure all are aligned to the same goals and programmes.”

The new rooftop solar programme with create opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers in Bahrain, he noted. “It will boost businesses of companies that are interested in expanding their portfolio to rooftop solar.”