HRH Premier inaugurates key power project

Manama, May 11 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the kingdom has succeeded in dealing flexibly with the challenges created by the decline in oil prices, stressing that thanks to the government's determination and well-thought plans, the development march has continued unabated to fulfil the citizens' needs. "We will succeed in our future development march, as we have done so far thanks to the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the government and its work," he said, noting that mega projects have become a distinctive feature of HM the King's prosperous era. HRH the Prime Minister made the statements while patronising the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of a major 400 kV electricity transmission line. Costing BD 280 million, the power project includes the building of three electricity transmission lines in Hidd, Um Al-Hassam and Riffa and linking them. Upon arrival, HRH Premier was welcomed by the Energy Minister Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza and a number of senior state officials. HRH Premier directed constant follow-up on the implementation of the project to ensure its completion according to schedule –December. 2017. HRH the Prime Minister officially inaugurated the key project after some Holy Quran verses were recited and two statements were made by the Energy Minister and the Deputy CEO of the German Siemens Company. HRH Premier lauded the support of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the kingdom's development projects, paying tribute the State of Kuwait, represented by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) for financing the project. A presentation on the stages of the project was given. HRH the Prime Minister was informed the Scale model of the project, and was briefed about it by those in charge of its implementation. HRH the Prime Minister then toured the Hidd Power Station and the project site, and was briefed by the Energy Minister and the CEO of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) about the implementation stages of the project and its importance in meeting the increasing demand for electricity in the kingdom. The Prime Minister voiced pride in the string of strategic projects currently implemented in the kingdom in various fields, which, he said will increase Bahrain's competitive potentials in attracting investments. HRH Premier pointed out the electricity transmission line is within a series of projects implemented by the government for the aim of putting in place the requirements of the investments and industrial projects and keeping pace with the needs of citizens and residents in this regard. He asserted that the infrastructure projects in all sectors, including energy, top the government's agenda, given their role in enhancing Bahrain's ability to reach advanced levels of sustainable economic growth and upgrade the national economy's ability to attract more investment projects. "The implementation pace of service and development projects will continue across the Kingdom despite the economic and financial challenges currently faced by the region, which proves the strength of the Bahraini economy thanks to its flexibility and ability to withstand various challenges," he said. HRH the Prime Minister highlighted the government's interest in availing of the expertise of mega world companies in implementing service and development projects, expressing thanks to all companies that are involved in the power project. HRH Premier commended the efforts exerted by the EWA in implementing power projects, wishing it further success. Energy Minister expressed pride in HRH the Prime Minister's patronage of the inauguration of the project. He stressed that despite the rapidly unfolding economic challenges, the kingdom has succeeded in achieving tangible progress in all service and production sectors thanks to sound vision of HM King Hamad, HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. HRH Premier was then presented by a commemorative gift from the Energy Minister. According to a recent statement by EWA, the project aims to reduce "short circuits" and ensure the safe operation of the equipment to transfer electrical energy from production plants to load centres throughout Bahrain efficiently and effectively, which would meet all the needs of development and facilitate the exchange of electric power with GCC network. The BD280-million-project consists of four work packages and is being implemented by the German company Siemens. Prysmian Group, from Italy, and another company from Japan are supplying the transmission lines. The Korean company, Hyundai, is supplying the transformers. The entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.