Bahrain’s first solar panel manufacturer is blazing a trail for renewables

Oil provides about 70% of government revenue — but Bahrain’s reserves are In this way, the company is contributing solar to the national energy mix, says Faisal Khalifeh, founder and managing director of Solar One. But it’s just a small step. Renewables, such as wind and solar, are yet to make even a small dent on the country’s energy mix, where gas still dominates. Bahrain has set a national target for renewables to make up 5% of the country’s energy supply by 2025 and 10% by 2035. These targets are part of a wider vision to diversify the economy, which has been hit heavily in the last decade. Last year, the country announced a $30 billion recovery plan, which includes building five new cities and artificial islands to attract tourists, building a US trade zone and constructing a road and rail bridge that connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest economy. It has also introduced a permanent residency program to attract top talent, and it wants to bring in $2.5 billion in private investments by 2023. The hope is that fresh talent and investment will foster entrepreneurship and drive growth.”We’re the first manufacturer (of solar panels), says Khalifeh, “but we won’t be the last.” Watch the video for the full story