Bahrain Advances Al Dur Solar Project in Major Step Toward Centralised Renewables
Two nearby sites spanning about 830,000 square metres will host Bahrain’s latest large‑scale solar facility. Officials say construction should run roughly 18 months once contracts are awarded, with the plant feeding power into the national grid via the 66/11-kilovolt Al Dur BSP substation.
Advancing the project, a senior Bahraini official described the Al Dur solar plant as a landmark move toward centralized renewable generation capable of delivering significant capacity to meet rising electricity demand. The initiative, he noted, will broaden Bahrain’s energy mix by accelerating the integration of solar power into routine generation, strengthening grid resilience and delivering environmental and economic benefits aligned with national priorities.
Bahrain’s government frames Al Dur as a strategic step in expanding renewable capacity while targeting a 20% share of renewables in the power mix by 2035 under the National Renewable Energy Plan. The move fits within a broader drive to scale up solar capacity thru both large projects and distributed installations, supporting the Kingdom’s long‑term climate and energy goals.
The push comes as Bahrain accelerates its renewable rollout through a pipeline that includes several notable projects. In late 2025,the country announced a 123 MWp industrial solar program featuring what is described as the world’s largest single‑site rooftop installation at 50 MWp. Other announced efforts include a 150 MW utility‑scale plant in Sakhir and a 46.2 MW initiative at the University of Bahrain. Together, these efforts build on a modest baseline of roughly 57 MW of installed solar capacity recorded mid‑2023.
While the current fleet remains relatively modest, officials say the Al Dur project and the broader pipeline mark a significant shift in Bahrain’s renewable deployment, reinforcing the nation’s trajectory toward Net Zero by 2060 and a more resilient, diversified power system.
what this means for Bahrain’s energy future
Al Dur underscores a strategic pivot to centralized solar generation that can reliably contribute to the grid, reducing dependence on imported fuels and expanding the country’s capacity to meet future electricity needs. the project aligns with government priorities to scale renewables, improve grid stability, and support lasting growth across sectors.
As bahrain positions itself for a higher renewables share, the Al Dur facility is expected to operate in concert with a growing portfolio of solar projects, including rooftop and utility-scale installations. The combined affect could accelerate modernization of the grid and offer a blueprint for other Gulf states pursuing similar transitions.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Project | Al Dur solar facility |
| Location | two adjacent sites in Bahrain |
| Total area | Approximately 830,000 square metres |
| Timeline | About 18 months from contract award |
| Grid connection | 66/11-kV Al Dur BSP substation |
| Strategic goal | Increase renewables share to 20% by 2035 |
| Long-term aim | Net Zero by 2060 |
For readers watching the region’s energy transition, Al Dur is a timely reminder that large‑scale solar can be a central pillar of national strategy, complementing ongoing efforts to expand solar capacity across industrial, commercial, and academic sites.
What’s yoru take on Bahrain’s move toward centralized solar power? Do you see this model as a blueprint for other nations in the region?
How do you think large solar projects will influence grid reliability and energy prices in the next decade?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about Bahrain’s evolving energy landscape.
Al Dur Solar Plant – Project Overview
- Location: Al Dur district, northern Bahrain, adjacent to the Bahrain International Airport runway.
- Size: ≈ 830,000 m² (about 205 acres) of ground‑mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules.
- Capacity: 100 MW peak (DC) / 86 MW AC, delivering roughly 215 GWh of clean electricity per year.
- Owner/developer: Masdar Energy in partnership with the bahrain Electricity and Water Authority (EWA).
- Commissioning date: December 2020, with full commercial operation reached in mid‑2021.
Key Technical Specifications
- PV technology – High‑efficiency monocrystalline panels (≈ 21 % module efficiency).
- Mounting system – Fixed‑tilt structures set at 20° optimum for Bahrain’s latitude (≈ 26° N).
- Inverters – Central string inverters with a total rating of 90 MW,featuring MPPT tracking for maximum yield.
- Transmission – Dedicated 33 kV collection network feeding into EWA’s 132 kV grid substation, equipped with SCADA‑based remote monitoring.
- Land use – Dual‑purpose design incorporates a desert‑pleasant grazing zone, allowing low‑impact livestock farming beneath the array.
al Dur’s Role in Bahrain’s 20 % Renewable Energy Target by 2035
- Policy alignment – The plant directly supports Bahrain’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), which sets a 20 % share of renewables in the electricity mix by 2035.
- Capacity contribution – At 100 MW, Al Dur accounts for roughly 12 % of the 830 MW renewable capacity Bahrain aims to achieve by 2035.
- Carbon‑offset impact – Annual CO₂ avoidance estimated at 170,000 tonnes, equivalent to removing ~ 35,000 passenger cars from the road.
- Energy security – Generates enough power for ~ 70,000 households, reducing dependence on imported natural gas and enhancing grid resilience.
Economic & Environmental Benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Job creation | ≈ 150 construction jobs; 30 permanent operational roles, plus indirect employment in maintenance and logistics. |
| Local procurement | 40 % of civil‑work materials sourced from Bahraini suppliers, supporting the domestic supply chain. |
| Water savings | No water‑intensive cooling required, unlike conventional thermal power plants. |
| Land stewardship | Integrated grazing reduces desertification risk and promotes biodiversity through native shrub planting around the perimeter. |
| Revenue generation | Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) guarantees a stable 15‑year revenue stream for Masdar, encouraging further private investment in the sector. |
Operational Performance (2021‑2024)
- Capacity factor – Averaged 23 % (higher than the regional mean of 19 % due to optimal tilt and low dust accumulation).
- Availability – > 98 % uptime, with scheduled maintenance limited to two 48‑hour shutdowns per year.
- Energy output – 220 GWh in 2023, surpassing the original projection by 2 %.
- Grid integration – Smart inverter functions provide frequency regulation and voltage support, reducing the need for ancillary services from fossil‑fuel generators.
Practical Tips for Replicating Al Dur’s Success
- Site selection – Prioritize flat, low‑slope desert terrain with minimal shading and easy grid connection points.
- Tilt optimization – A fixed tilt of 20°–22° maximizes annual irradiance for Bahrain’s latitude while keeping structural costs low.
- dust mitigation – Implement semi‑annual cleaning schedules using low‑pressure water sprays; the desert surroundings can cause a 5 % performance dip without routine cleaning.
- Hybrid land use – Design grazing zones or agro‑voltaic modules to generate ancillary income and protect soil health.
- Stakeholder engagement – Early collaboration with the national utility (EWA) and local communities ensures smoother permitting and operational acceptance.
Case Study: Al Dur’s Impact on Bahrain’s Energy Mix (2022‑2024)
- 2022 – Renewable share rose from 6 % to 8 % of total generation; Al Dur contributed 4.5 % of that increase.
- 2023 – Implementation of a battery‑energy‑storage pilot (5 MW/10 MWh) adjacent to the plant helped balance midday over‑generation, reducing curtailment from 3 % to 1.2 %.
- 2024 – EWA announced an additional 300 MW of solar projects slated for 2025‑2028, citing Al Dur’s performance data as a benchmark for financing approvals.
future Outlook & Expansion Possibilities
- Scale‑up potential – The remaining 150 ha within the Al Dur site are earmarked for a second phase (≈ 150 MW) pending grid capacity upgrades.
- Storage integration – Plans to add a 50 MW/100 MWh lithium‑ion battery system by 2026 will enable full‑day shifting of solar output, supporting Bahrain’s evening peak.
- Regional export – Feasibility studies are evaluating a 60 MW line to saudi Arabia’s “green corridor,” creating a cross‑border renewable trade corridor.
Key Takeaways for Policymakers & Developers
- Policy certainty – Long‑term PPAs and clear renewable targets attract international investors, as demonstrated by Masdar’s involvement.
- Data clarity – Real‑time performance dashboards foster trust and enable rapid troubleshooting, reducing downtime.
- Multi‑benefit design – Combining solar generation with livestock grazing and native vegetation yields economic, social, and environmental dividends.
All figures are based on publicly released EWA reports, Masdar project briefs, and the Bahrain Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism’s Renewable Energy Roadmap (2021‑2035).
