Electricity in Bahrain in 2023
As of 2023, Bahrain's electricity consumption is overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels, with almost all of its electricity, close to 100%, generated from gas. This leaves low-carbon electricity generation practically negligible, indicating a significant reliance on fossil energy. Such heavy dependence poses challenges not only due to the finite nature of fossil resources but also because of their contribution to environmental issues like climate change and air pollution. Unfortunately, Bahrain's transition to cleaner sources of electricity remains a daunting yet necessary task to ensure sustainable energy security and environmental protection in the future.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Bahrain?
Examining the trend of electricity consumption in Bahrain reveals a slight yet concerning decline. The total electricity consumption per person in 2023 is around 23,050 kWh, which is down by about 238 kWh compared to its previous peak in 2022. This decline, albeit modest, suggests stagnation that could be problematic if continued, given the need for increased capacity to support future growth and electrification. Contrastingly, low-carbon electricity generation has experienced a slight increase, reaching 57 kWh per person in 2023 compared to 52 kWh in 2022. While this growth in clean energy is encouraging, it remains minimal and highlights the need for more aggressive strategies to increase low-carbon electricity generation on a larger scale.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Bahrain can draw inspiration from regions having notable success with sustainable energy sources. For example, states like Nevada and California are successfully harnessing solar power, with solar accounting for more than 29% and 20% of their electricity, respectively. On the nuclear front, countries like France and Slovakia generate a significant majority of their electricity from nuclear energy, at 70% and 66% respectively. Bahrain could consider investing heavily in solar energy due to its geographical advantage and potentially explore the introduction of nuclear energy to diversify its energy portfolio. Wind energy is less common in the Middle East, yet it accounts for substantial generation shares in regions like Iowa (60%) and Denmark (59%), offering another alternative that could be explored.
History
Looking at Bahrain's recent history of low-carbon electricity generation, there is little to show in terms of progress. From 2020 to 2023, solar energy generation in Bahrain has remained stagnant, with zero increase per year. This stagnation not only highlights the missed opportunities in tapping into Bahrain's abundant sunshine but also signifies a critical need for strategic policy shifts and investments to kickstart clean energy development. Moving forward, Bahrain must prioritize scaling up solar energy and consider integrating nuclear power to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable electricity supply.
