Within
the framework of joint cooperation and efforts aimed at accelerating the pace
of digital transformation in the Kingdom, the Electricity and Water Authority,
in cooperation with the Information and E-Governments Authority, through visual
communication technology, launched a net metering system service available
through the (Benayat) platform, which allows individuals and institutions to
submit their requests to install solar energy systems on their homes and
facilities. At their expense, and to benefit from the energy produced to meet
part of their need for electricity consumption, this comes in light of the
government's tendency to benefit from natural energy resources, including solar
energy.
The
virtual inauguration ceremony was attended by HE Mr. Wael bin Nasser Al
Mubarak, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim
Al Khalifa, CEO of the Electricity and Water Authority, HE Mr. Mohammed Ali Al
Qaed, CEO of the Information and E-Government Authority and a number of officials
from both sides.
The
service (Net Metering Service) aims to enable the competent authorities to
ensure the integrity of the design of the solar energy system and the
electrical system on homes and facilities for which applications are submitted
through the Benayat platform, as well as verifying the license related to the
installation of a net meter, as well as the benefits resulting from installing
systems Solar energy, represented in the possibility of pumping the surplus
from solar energy production to the government electric grid, which enables
them to obtain a discount in return for that.
On this
occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, Eng.
Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, stressed that the development of the net metering
system service available through the (Benayat) platform comes within the
framework of achieving the economic vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain 2030, and
achieving the directions of the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince The Prime Minister, may God protect
him, to make the Kingdom of Bahrain a developed model in the field of using
clean energy, as part of Ministerial Resolution No. 2 of 2017 regulating the
connection of electricity production units from renewable energy to the
electricity distribution system at the Electricity and Water Authority and the
inclusion of net metering system procedures in the Benayat system for the
issuance of building permits.
His
Excellency the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs added that the
authority aims to adopt best practices in the field of net metering service and
provide innovative and smart solutions to reach the highest levels of
excellence to encourage individuals and institutions to benefit from renewable
energy and reach the national goal to increase the proportion of renewable
energy from the total energy mix. 5% by 2025 and 10% by 2035.
The
Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs also noted the continuous cooperation
between the Electricity and Water Authority and the Information and
e-Government Authority in this field, which supports the unification of
government efforts to raise the level of its services in line with future
developments in the field of electricity and water, and the adoption of the
best technological practices that are compatible with international
specifications and requirements.
In the
same context, His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, CEO of the
Electricity and Water Authority said that the authority has taken the
initiative to develop an integrated plan for the development of the net
metering service, as the authority has provided an integrated guide through the
Benayat platform and has qualified and approved 45 licensed contractors in
solar energy projects. And the adoption of leading international companies in
the manufacture of materials used in these projects, such as solar panels and
inverter devices. The authority also undertakes the tasks of reviewing the
designs of the solar energy system and the electrical system on homes and
facilities to ensure their safety before operating them.
His
Excellency the CEO added that the demand for the net metering program is
expected to increase, especially after implementing the digital transformation
in this field, thanks to the fruitful cooperation with the Information and
e-Government Authority, which will contribute to reducing the necessary
procedures from three steps to two steps through the (Benayat) platform, which
will positively impact on Reducing the time for reviewing applications related
to the installation of a net meter and accelerating the process of
communicating with contractors and consultants to operate solar energy projects
and linking them to the distribution network.
Regarding
the service, users wishing to benefit from it can first start by contracting
with one of the licensed contractors in the electricity sector, and then the
request is required to be reviewed by a licensed engineering office. This
procedure is followed by submitting the request through the Benayat platform,
and through the system and electronically, the possibility of connecting to the
network will be verified.
In this
regard, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, CEO of the Information and
eGovernment Authority, stressed the importance of the electricity and water
sector as one of the most important pillars of supporting the developmental
wheel in the Kingdom, noting that the existing cooperation between the Ministry
and the Authority is based on partnership and sustainability, which was
reflected in Through the speed of digital transformation and the provision of
electricity and water services electronically through a number of different
electronic channels.
Al-Qaed
stressed that the government's tendency to encourage the use of renewable
energy sources such as solar energy comes in line with the government's keen
approach based on diversifying and investing energy sources in order to serve
society, and also reflects its commitment to achieving the seventh goal of the sustainable
development goals, which is to provide clean energy at reasonable prices, which
made it among the ranks of the Developed countries to achieve the United
Nations sustainable development goals in the field of energy.
The
Leader praised the keenness of the Electricity and Water Authority and its
cooperation with the authority to enhance the national trend to achieve digital
transformation in various sectors, stressing the continuation of cooperation
between the two sides in order to provide more electronic services in the
future, and strive to develop them for citizens and residents, in a way that
shortens time and saves effort for customers on both sides service and its
beneficiaries.
The
Information and eGovernment Authority also provides channels to inquire about
the new service through the National Suggestions and Complaints System
(Tawasul) available at bahrain.bh, or through the (Tawasul) application
available at bahrain.bh/apps, or through the Government Services Call Center 80008001.
hashtag:
#Digital_Transformation
#Private_Sector #Knowledge #Technology # #SustainableDevelopment #Energy
#Electronic_Applications #Electronic_Services #Innovation
#Artificial_Intelligence #BigData #Computing #TeamBahrain #BuildingSystem.