Demand for transformers stretches Bahrain

Bahrain's electricity and water minister, Shaikh Abdulla bin Salman Al Khalifa, has said the number of power transformers in the country is increasing at a rate of 40 per month. There are currently 5 000 transformers operating in Bahrain to cover increasing power demand, which has now reached 2 000 MW.

Shaikh Abdulla said maintenance work has been completed in two units at the Riffa power station as part of its development plans. Maintenance of other units at the station would be completed next year, while the remaining units would be completed by 2009, he said, adding that work on the transformers would be during the winter season to minimise the pressure on the network.

The transformer market is booming across the region at present, owing to the expansion of power capacities and the lifespan of existing, older transformers reaching an end. Factories are fully booked with orders for transformers, meaning utilities and other clients are facing longer delivery times.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Abdulla said specialised companies were working on the issue of privatisation of Bahrain's power sector, pointing out that the establishment of the independent power plant at Al Ezzel and the privatisation of Hidd power station's production were steps in the right direction. He noted that the distribution, transmission and costs of the station remained the ministry's responsibility.

The minister said the country's population growth was not affecting power demand as much as investment and the construction boom were.

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