Bahrain Solar Projects: The Complete 2024 Guide

Bahrain Solar Projects: The Complete 2024 Guide

This is your quick, clear look at Bahrain’s top solar projects, how they work, and why they matter in 2024.

Quick answer

Bahrain is scaling solar fast. The country has announced large projects across factories, malls, schools, and car parks. A headline project will build what sources call the world's largest single-site rooftop solar plant under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with major industry partners. Together, these projects help Bahrain move toward its renewable targets by 2035.

Why Bahrain is going solar now

• National targets: Bahrain aims for 5% renewable energy by 2025 and 10% by 2035, according to the national plan (NREAP) and related research noted in ScienceDirect.
• Policy support: The Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) guides programs for rooftop PV and public-sector deployments. Government projects include solar on schools and public buildings, as referenced in PVknowhow’s Bahrain report.
• Energy strategy: Solar supports Bahrain Vision 2030 by diversifying energy, building local resilience, and managing long-term power costs.

Data point: As of mid-2023, Bahrain’s installed solar capacity was reported at about 57 MW in the PVknowhow market overview. Practical takeaway: room for growth is large, so new projects can make a quick, visible impact on the grid mix.

What are Bahrain’s largest solar projects?

1) The world’s largest single-site rooftop solar plant (part of a 123 MWp program)

Multiple sources report a landmark program totaling around 123 MWp across industrial sites. A centerpiece is described as the world’s largest single-site rooftop solar plant, developed under a long-term PPA. Coverage and developer updates are available from Yahoo Finance, PR Newswire, the national news agency BNA, Yellow Door Energy, Sustainability Online, and TaiyangNews. Reports note the wider program spans ten rooftop plants and four ground-mounted sites.

2) 72 MW multi-site solar project (Sakhir)

Official updates describe a 72 MW multi-site photovoltaic project in Sakhir. It combines rooftop, ground-mounted, and car park solar. See SDGs Bahrain for details.

3) Government buildings solar program (~50 MW target)

The SEA oversees solar on government buildings, with a stated capacity target around 50 MW, and initiatives for public schools. A summary is compiled in PVknowhow’s Bahrain market report.

4) Lulu Group + SirajPower (10 MWp rooftops)

Lulu Group signed a long-term solar lease with SirajPower to install about 10 MWp across six sites in Bahrain. See SirajPower’s announcement.

5) Industrial and commercial sites already online

Several notable projects include Tatweer Petroleum (around 3 MW), Bapco’s first solar installation, Dragon City (about 5.7 MW), and Imerys/Midal (about 4.7 MW). These are listed in the PVknowhow country report. Homes and small businesses are also joining, with rooftop momentum noted by local media like Gulf Magazine.

Bahrain Solar Project Tracker (2024)

Project / Program	Approx. Capacity	Type	Sites	Key Party	Status	Source
Largest single-site rooftop (within 123 MWp program)	123 MWp (program)	Rooftop + ground	10 rooftop + 4 ground	Yellow Door Energy	Announced / in development	Yahoo Finance, PR Newswire, BNA
Sakhir multi-site solar	72 MW	Rooftop + ground + car park	Multi-site	Government-led	Announced / in progress	SDGs Bahrain
Government buildings program	~50 MW (target)	Rooftop	Public buildings	SEA	Ongoing	PVknowhow
Lulu Group + SirajPower	10 MWp	Rooftop	6 locations	SirajPower	Announced	SirajPower
Industrial & commercial sites (Tatweer, Bapco, Dragon City, Imerys/Midal)	~3–7 MW (site-dependent)	Rooftop / ground	Multi-site	Various	Operational	PVknowhow

Note: Capacities and statuses reflect public announcements and may change as projects progress.

How PPAs and solar leases work (simple guide)

• What is a PPA? A power purchase agreement lets a developer pay to build and run the solar system. The customer buys the solar power at an agreed price for a set time. See PPA mentions in Yahoo Finance and PR Newswire.
• What is a solar lease? Similar idea. The company pays a fixed fee to use the system on its roof, like the Lulu Group SirajPower deal.
• Why companies like them: Low upfront cost, clear power price, less risk. With good tariffs and plenty of sun, deals can cut power bills compared to grid rates. ROI insight: with a well-structured PPA, many firms see double-digit percentage savings over the term, depending on tariff and site use.
• Implementation tip: Start with a roof audit and energy meter data for 12 months. That makes the PPA price and system size easier to compare.

Costs, timelines, and grid connection

• Costs: Prices depend on roof area, shading, structure strength, and inverter ratio. Larger sites usually get better unit pricing.
• Timelines: A typical commercial rooftop (1–10 MWp) can move from design to commissioning in months, once permits and the PPA or lease are signed.
• Grid and safety: Expect electrical studies, metering, and safety checks. Many multi-site programs in Bahrain include car park canopies and ground systems as part of one contract, like the 72 MW Sakhir project.

Policy and permitting basics

• SEA role: The Sustainable Energy Authority helps guide PV deployment across public sites, as noted in the PVknowhow report.
• Targets under Vision 2030: 5% by 2025 and 10% by 2035 appear across national planning documents, including the NREAP and research summarized in ScienceDirect.
• Corporate steps: Check roof readiness, confirm load profile, then request proposals from experienced developers. Ask for PPA vs. lease options and a sensitivity analysis on tariffs.

2024 outlook: What to watch

• Execution of large industrial rooftops: Track progress updates from Yellow Door Energy and official channels like BNA.
• Public-sector rollouts: Expanded solar on schools and government buildings will signal permitting speed and grid-readiness, as noted in PVknowhow.
• Commercial adoption: More retail and logistics rooftops are likely, building on deals like Lulu Group SirajPower.

Simple buyer checklist

1. Collect 12 months of electricity bills and interval data.
2. Check roof structure, access, and shade.
3. Ask for three proposals (PPA and lease) with energy yield and price paths.
4. Request O&M plan, performance guarantees, and insurance details.
5. Confirm grid-interconnection steps and timeline.

FAQ

What is a PPA in Bahrain?

It’s a contract to buy solar power from a system on your site. The developer builds and runs it. See PPA mentions in Yahoo Finance and PR Newswire.

How much solar is installed today?

The market report by PVknowhow cites about 57 MW by June 2023. New projects will add more as they are built.

Where will the big new capacity come from?

Industrial rooftops, multi-site programs like Sakhir (72 MW), government buildings, and commercial malls.

Are homes in Bahrain going solar?

Yes, interest is growing. Local outlets note rising rooftop adoption (Gulf Magazine).

What’s the best first step for a company?

Start with a roof and energy audit, then compare at least two PPA or lease offers. Pick the option with strong guarantees and a clear O&M plan.

Sources and further reading

• Yahoo Finance: Bahrain sets a global benchmark
• PR Newswire: World’s largest rooftop solar power plant
• BNA: Official announcement
• TaiyangNews: Single-site rooftop project
• Sustainability Online: Rooftop facility details
• Yellow Door Energy: Developer insights
• SDGs Bahrain: 72 MW Sakhir project
• PVknowhow: Bahrain market insights
• SirajPower: Lulu Group 10 MWp rooftops
• Gulf Magazine: Rooftop momentum
• UNDP: National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP)
• ScienceDirect: Rooftop PV feasibility note on national targets

Bottom line: Bahrain’s solar market is moving from pilots to big, multi-site builds. If you’re a business, now is a good time to scope your roof and compare PPA or lease offers.