Bahrain’s Bapco Energies and its venture arm, BeVentures, are evaluating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to meet growing power demands from energy-intensive industries and AI infrastructure, a report said.

Led by BeVentures Bahrain is evaluating nuclear power as part of its long-term energy strategy, said the MEED report.

Under the plan being studied, power to be produced by the nuclear facility will be supplied mainly to major industrial complexes in the kingdom, such as Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Bapco Refining, for clean production of aluminium and refined products, respectively, in line with Bahrain’s ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, the report said.

BeVentures, has in turn, approached reputed global consultancy firms such as Bechtel, Fluor, Kent, Technip Energies and Wood to assist with concept study and early-stage planning and assessment of the modular or small nuclear power project.

Bapco Energies and BeVentures are also considering tapping into private financing and/or equity partnerships, in part or in full, for the proposed project, sources told MEED.

Bapco Energies did not respond to MEED’s request for comment and additional information on the proposed modular nuclear project, it added.