Enviromental Review

Long before Bahrain established environmental standards, Alba was already implementing pioneering environmental protection programmes and, having achieved the Environmental Management System standard ISO 14001 in 2000, Alba continues to maintain its uncompromising stance on environmental issues.

Alba's ongoing commitment to protecting the environment has involved investments of hundreds of millions of dollars and has earned the company international praise and recognition.
In 2000, for example, Alba became one of only 12 companies in the world to earn the Millennium Business Award for Environmental Achievement, which was presented by the United Nations Environment Programme in conjunction with the International Chamber of Commerce.

In 2003, Alba installed a state-of-the-art flue gas desulphurisation plant at the Calciner plant, which virtually eliminated sulphur emissions. The US$ 18.5 million unit makes the calciner one of the cleanest in the world and allows Alba to operate it at full capacity with minimal impact to the environment. Alba also embarked on a US$65 million project to retrofit its gas turbines with low NOx burners and replace existing control systems to reduce waste emissions and help control environmental pollution.

To ensure that its expansion plans are aligned with this commitment Alba carried out a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to guarantee that the construction and subsequent operation of line 5 is undertaken with the utmost care for the environment. The new power station utilises combined cycle technology with steam turbines using the waste heat from the gas turbines to improve efficiency and reduce pollution. The gas turbines are also equipped with state-of-the-art technology combustion units to reduce NOx emissions. The pot room itself is equipped with hi-tech fume treatment plants and a double duct system to enhance fume collection efficiency and minimise emissions.

Major Environmental Awards include the UN Millennium Award for Environmental Protection, the GCC Environmental Award, the Bahrain Environment Award and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Award.