Two companies have made offers for a contract to develop Bahrain’s first solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power project (IPP).

Bahrain’s Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) opened bids for the Bilaj Al-Jazayer solar IPP project on 12 March. The bidders include Saudi Arabia’s Acwa, formerly Acwa Power, and UAE-headquartered Yellow Door Energy.

The 150 MWac Bilaj Al-Jazayer solar IPP project will be Bahrain’s first grid-connected solar PV power plant developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework on a build-own-operate basis. It will be delivered as a long-term concession and is intended to come online by 2027.

The proposed site covers more than 1 square kilometre, with the private sector responsible for end-to-end development, including financing, design, construction and operation.

Last August, EWA held a market consultation event during which it outlined plans for the country’s first solar PV IPP. The main contract was then tendered in October.

EWA said Yellow Door Energy’s proposal was “accepted with conditions”, but did not disclose further details.

The local KPMG Fakhro is the financial consultant, the US’ WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff is the technical consultant, and the UK’s Trowers & Hamlins is the legal consultant.

Bahrain’s clean energy targets, as set by its national plans, include 20% renewables by 2035, and net-zero emissions by 2060.