Bahrain

Getting Electricity in

Bahrain

Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building in Bahrain.

This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012.

Compare Bahrain to 185 other economies.

  • Standardized Company

  • Name of Utility: Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) (Electricity Distribution Directorate, EDD at the MEW)
  • City: Manama

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 The client applies for electricity connection with the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD) and awaits external inspection

The client needs to first hire an electrical contractor licensed with the Ministry of Electricity and Water. There are different grades for electricians depending on the type of installations.
The applicant fills out an application form and submits it to the utility, namely the Electricity Distribution Directorate, EDD (at the Ministry of Electricity and Water).
The following documents should be attached to the application form:
• copy of ID card or passport;
• copy of the commercial register;
• copy of building permit certificate;
• copy of address specifying card;
• ownership deed; and
• certificate of completion of the building.


Agency: Electrical contractor licensed by the Electricity and Water Authority 		29 calendar days no charge
* 2 The client obtains external inspection by the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD)

The client needs to then wait for the utility to come and inspect the site.
Agency: Electricity and Water Authority 		1 calendar day no charge
3 The client obtains external works from the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD)’s contractor

The utility assigns a contractor to be in charge of the external works. The contractor then inspects the site to determine the specifics of the connection and prepares an estimate of the connection fees.
The contractor will lay out cables from the warehouse to the closest substation. For the works, he contractor needs to obtain an excavation permit and clearances from other utilities, such as water, telephone, drainage, and road authorities.

Agency: Electricity and Water Authority 		54 calendar days BHD 4,900.0
* 4 The client obtains internal inspection from the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD)

People from the Inspection Department at EDD will come and check the entire internal wiring to make sure it is done according to the regulations. The inspector will then fill out an Electrical Installation Completion & Test Certificate form.
Agency: Electricity and Water Authority 		1 calendar day no charge
5 The client obtains meter installation and final connection from the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD)

When the external works are finished, people from the Supply Department at EDD will come and install the meter. The client would need to show their completion certificate.
Agency: Electricity and Water Authority 		7 calendar days no charge
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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