Bahrain, Masdar in talks on clean energy plan

Bahrain is in talks with Abu Dhabi-based clean energy company Masdar with a view to launching renewable energy plants in the Gulf kingdom.

The personal advisor of Bahrain's King Hamad, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has held discussions with Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Bahrain News Agency said.

Sheikh Abdullah, also president of Bahrain's Supreme Council for the Environment, said a feasibility study was underway into the possibility of establishing renewable energy plants in the south of the kingdom.

According to BNA, he expressed readiness to "provide all facilitations" to Masdar to implement the second phase of the project.

This will include a detailed feasibility study for at least two electric power plants and the signing of an agreement "to promptly begin the establishing of these electric power plants".

Sheikh Abdullah was quoted as saying the renewable energy projects were considered "an important pioneering step to provide environmentally-friendly electric power" in the kingdom.

On Tuesday, Masdar signed an agreement to work on sustainable energy projects with France.

Masdar signed a joint declaration with France in the presence of French President Francois Hollande at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

The agreement paves the way for Masdar to work closely with French firms and institutions on the development and advancement of sustainable energy.