Rabat – Bahrain on Tuesday, January 4 ratified its Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy with Morocco.
The Bahraini Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs has evaluated and approved memorandums, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on renewable energy with Morocco. The Bahraini Prime Minister and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, presided over the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace in Manama.
Both countries commit to developing renewable energy projects and increasing reliance on renewable energy resources. Cooperation between Morocco and Bahrain in the renewable energy sector is a new area for exploration complementing broader cooperation in other sectors.
Read also: WEF: Morocco Ranks Third in MENA for Effective Energy Transmission
On April 7th, 2000, Morocco and Bahrain signed their first Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to promote and protect direct trade and foreign investments between the two countries. The agreement came into force on April 9th, 2001, and defined the economic relations between Morocco and Bahrain until 2011.
In February 2018, Morocco hosted the fourth session of the Moroccan-Bahraini High Joint Committee in Rabat. During the meeting, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, Nasser Bourita, and his counterpart, Khaled Bin Ahmed Mohamed Al Khalifa, signed 7 MoUs on diplomacy, employment, sports, information, and communication, and political consultation.
Additionally, an air transport agreement was signed to launch direct flights between Rabat and Manama and to boost tourism through competitive pricing.
In the MENA region’s renewable sector, Morocco ranks second in the energy transition index with a score of 57.97, according to the World Economic Forum. In the same assessment, Bahrain ranked 13th with a score of 48.94.
By 2050, Morocco aspires to reach a share of 80% renewable energy in its energy mix. In June 2021, Morocco renewed its promise to the UN to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17-18% by 2030.
Read also: Morocco Commits to 80% Renewable Energy Use by 2050
Bahrain’s commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency is reflected in six national projects launched by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In November 2014, the Bahraini Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs established the Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Since 2017, SEU is responsible for the Kingdom’s “Bahrains Vision 2030” which seeks to reduce carbon emissions, preserve natural resources, and promote renewable energy.
The vision aligns with the Government Action Plan for 2015-2018. Also, the country’s obligations under the UN‘s 7th Sustainable Development Goal7 on affordable and clean energy, and the Paris agreement are driving forces for the implementation of the vision.
Based on the country’s vision, Bahrain sets a national target of 5% renewable energy by 2025 and 10% by 2035.
To diversify its energy sources, in 2017 Bahrain launched a 5-megawatt hybrid wind-solar pilot project and a 100-megawatt Solar-Farm pilot project.
