Upon his arrival, His Majesty the King was welcomed by the Minister of Energy, Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza, Chief Executive of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), Shaikh Nawaf Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, The Governor of the Southern Region, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the Chairman of ad Dur Power and Water Company, Shafiq Ali, the Executive President for Gulf Investment Corporation, Hisham Razouqi, the Chief Executive officer of the International Power-GDF SUEZ Company in the United Kingdom, Phil Cox.
The ceremony began with a recitation from the holy Quran
The EWA Chief Executive explained Bahrain’s needs from power and desalinated water to be provided by Al-Dur Power and Water Plant.
A documentary film on the plant and various stages of its construction was presented.
Then, HM the King unveiled the plaque to mark the occasion.
Later, HM the King and HRH the Prime Minister received commemorative gifts from the Minister of Energy and Chairman of Al-Dur Company.
Officials of Al-Dur Company, Hyundai and Electricity and Water Authority were greeted by HM the King, who thanked them for their efforts.
Then, HM the King, accompanied by HRH the Prime Minister, toured the various sections of the plant where he was briefed on the plant’s sections which consists of four units of gas turbines with a capacity of almost 200 megawatts for each for the production of Electricity, two units of steam turbines with the maximum capacity of each unit 268 megawatts, Sea water desalination plant with a capacity reverse osmosis Faculty of up to 48 million gallons per day and Water treatment unit to make it viable for drinking.
The Minister of Energy also explained to His Majesty the King on the development programmes and plans
HM the King praised the state-of-the-art facility, stressing its vital role in serving citizens, catering to the increasing demand for electricity and backing many industrial and investment projects all over the kingdom.
HM King Hamad underlined Bahrain’s constant keenness to encourage setting up such major investment projects, which are jointly carried out by the public and private sectors, so as to ensure citizens have access to optimum services.
HM the King hailed cooperation between the Electricity and Water Authority and the investing firms in Al-Dur power and water plant, adding that this boosts confidence in Bahrain’s sound and attractive economy.
HM took pride in the Bahraini competencies who are operating the facility, reiterating the kingdom’s resolve to continue the policy of building developmental and civilizational edifices to guarantee provision of top quality services and achieve forecast goals.
HM the King hailed the efforts of the Electricity and Water Authority to groom Bahraini professionals in various disciplines, wishing the plant’s staff every success.
Marking the inauguration of the new facility, Energy Minister Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza hailed the celebration, adding that the inauguration reflects HM the King’s interest in rolling out developmental projects in Bahrain for the benefit of all citizens.
He pointed out EWA keenness to optimize the electricity and water services by continuously upgrading the main infrastructure.
He said the areas of the authority’s work have known a quantum leap to meet the requirements of the present and the future.
Dr. Mirza praised the landmark developments in the electricity and water sector thanks to the unflinching support of HM the King, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Economic Development Board.
He also said that expanding electricity and water production by setting up new facilities and boosting old ones aims to meet growing demands by consumers, investors and businessmen.
The Minister added that the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) shall continue implementing its various development plans and programmes in order to provide electricity and water to citizens and residents, citing the EWA’s accomplishments over the past few years and remarkable record growth rates.
A third licensure was issued to a French consortium and the Gulf Investment Corporation in August 2008 for construction of Al-Dur Power and Water Desalination Plant.
The Minister pointed out that the testing operation of the plant began in 2010 and generated 400 megawatts and at the time of starting of its commercial operation attained 1234 megawatts and 48 million gallons of desalinated water.
The Minister revealed that the first phase of project construction cost is an estimated $ 2.1 billion and that electric power and water shall be purchased from the Authority at fixed tariff rates of 14 fils per kilowatt/hr and 350 fils per cubic meter of water over a period of 25 years from the date of starting official operation in the project which was signed on 28 August 2008.
The first phase of the project comprised the installation of steam-gas turbine units in addition to the reverse osmosis water desalination plant.
The pilot operation of the plant produced a total of 400 megawatts of electric power in September 2010 from two gas turbines which produced 200 megawatts each.
The Minister explained the main components of the plant includes four production units comprising two gas turbines have a production capacity of 200 megawatts each; two production units comprising two steam turbines have a production capacity of 268 megawatts; the reverse osmosis water desalination plant has a capacity of 48 million gallons of water per day and water treatment plant for production of potable water.
The gas turbine units use reliable dual gas/diesel fuel for production of electricity in the event of any shortage in the supply of natural gas.
The Minister pointed out that the EWA shall construct a major 220 kilo-volt amperes transmission plant as well as a water storage plant which pumps water and transmits electric power to consumers all over the Kingdom.
The Minister accentuated that these vital projects constitute the cornerstone of plans aimed at increasing the production capacity of electric power plants which enables the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide water and electricity to residential units all over the Kingdom including Hewar Islands and accommodate mammoth commercial and economic projects which constitute lifeline for the Kingdom of Bahrain’s future development and prosperity.