Bahrain’s Electricity & Water Authority has invited firms to bid by 16 June for a consultancy services contract on a renewable energy pilot power plant in the kingdom.

The winning bidder will conduct a feasibility and assessment study for renewable energy technology. It will also advise on the design, tender and project management of a renewable energy pilot scheme.

The project is expected to take the form of a hybrid solar and wind pilot facility for practical research and development.

“The kingdom of Bahrain is seeking to make use of the renewable energies, particularly solar and wind,” said Bahrain’s Works Minister, Fahmi bin Ali al-Jowder, in January 2009.

A committee to study renewable energy was established in 2005 with the intention of collecting meteorological data. A consultation committee was then put together in 2009 to initiate the development of a pilot project.

The Electricity & Water Authority has already conducted an initial study into the potential for wind and solar power in Bahrain. The survey considered the kingdom, as well as selected locations in the GCC.