Energy

Although the global drop in crude oil prices is a concern, the early adoption of economic diversification efforts has created positive growth trajectories in non-oil sectors in Bahrain, such as construction and transport.  Hydrocarbons continue to form the bulk of government revenues in Bahrain, with oil and gas accounting for 24.1% of Bahrain’s GDP in 2014. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia remains a vital energy partner for the kingdom, and recent Saudi investments in its Eastern Province have benefitted both countries in terms of hydrocarbons processing.  Meanwhile in June 2014 Bahrain opened its first solar energy facility in the town of Awali. The 5-MW facility relies on the concept of a smart grid that harvests energy through photo-votaic panels dispersed around the city.

This chapter contains an interview with Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Energy.