CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

THE CAMARADERIE BETWEEN INDIA AND BAHRAIN IS WELL-KNOWN. WHAT FEW KNOW IS THAT BAHRAIN HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED INDIAN START-UPS AND DIGITALISATION IS THE NEW WAY

- JAYASHREE MENDES

SOMETIMES IT TAKES A SMALL COUNTRY TO show the way to the rest of the world. In November, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) inaugurated Line 6 expansion project, making it the second largest smelter in the world. It is also one of the fastest expansion projects to be commissioned in the aluminium industry. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said at the inauguration that with this expansion, he hopes to not only boost global competitiveness but also the GDP. The inauguration was attended by Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The King said this project will enhance Bahrain’s global competitiveness in this sector, support national economic development, spur growth and create jobs for the local people.

Alba’s chairman Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, spoke about the efforts put by the board and the team into making the project a success.

In his keynote, Brendan Bechtel, chairman and CEO, Bechtel Group, who executed the project said, "The Line 6 Expansion Project has set benchmarks in sustainable aluminium production with both Reduction Line 6 and PS 5. We implemented the proprietary Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) DX+ Ultra Technology in Reduction Line 6 that enables Alba to increase its output with no increase in energy consumption. Similarly, adopting GE’s 9HA Gas Turbine technology in PS 5 has made it the most efficient Combined-Cycle power plant in the Gulf region."

The longest smelter line with 400-odd part and extending to 1400 metres, several large companies participated in offering technology, mainly Siemens and GE.