Acwa Power and Bapco Energies Partner on 2.8GW Solar Plant to Power Bahrain's Green Transition

Cross-Border Renewable Energy Initiative Announced

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A significant step towards regional energy cooperation and sustainability was announced with the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between Acwa Power, a Riyadh-based developer, and Bapco Energies, Bahrain's state oil firm. The agreement, unveiled during the Saudi–Bahraini Coordination Council meeting in December 2025, outlines the development of a substantial solar power plant in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.

The project is designed to have a generation capacity of up to 2.8 gigawatts (GW), to be implemented in multiple phases. It will incorporate large-scale battery energy storage technology to ensure a stable and reliable power supply. All electricity generated by this facility will be transmitted to the load center of Bapco Energies in Bahrain, directly supporting the Kingdom's national energy needs and accelerating its transition to renewable energy sources.

Strategic Alignment with National Visions

This collaborative effort is a testament to the strong bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and their shared commitment to a sustainable energy future. According to Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Acwa Power, the project aligns with both Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, as well as Bahrain's national ambitions to expand clean energy and accelerate its net-zero pathway.

Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies, emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement, stating it marks an 'important milestone' in the company's journey towards energy diversification and regional collaboration. He added that working with Acwa Power is a 'bold step' to ensure long-term energy security for Bahrain while unlocking the power of renewables.

Bahrain's Ambitious Renewable Energy Goals

The solar plant is crucial for Bahrain's ambitious environmental targets. The Gulf nation aims to:

• Reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2035.
• Achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
• Increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 20% by 2035, as outlined in its National Renewable Energy Plan.

The project forms part of Bapco Energies' commitments under the Bahrain National Energy Strategy, which focuses on improving energy demand efficiency, diversifying the national energy mix, and ensuring secure and competitive access to energy. This initiative is expected to reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as an energy export hub and further strengthen Bahrain's energy security.