Manama, March 4 (BNA): The Bahrain International Circuit, the home of motorsport in the Middle East, announced today that the 2023 Gulf Air Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix will be the most sustainable race ever. It also announced future plans to ensure it reduces its impact on the planet and supports F1’s net zero target for 2030 as well as those of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Plans for the production and expansion of solar energy farms
Over the past 12 months, analysis by BIC’s solar partner IREC Energy has shown that BIC’s solar farm has produced 5.28MW of clean energy, enough renewable energy to cover all circuit uses for F1 with plenty of capacity to spare, ie Equivalent to 3,108 tons. of carbon. Renewable energy in circuits is a key part of how F1 is achieving its Net Zero goal – as well as the continued transition to more sustainable energy sources across its operations from 100% sustainable fuels in cars by 2026 to more efficient logistics up to site generator requirements.
The BIC is also pleased to announce that construction will soon begin on an extension of the solar farm to cover additional parking at the circuit. The 14MWh project, together with the existing facility, will provide enough clean energy to run the entire BIC energy consumption over the entire year, meaning that the BIC will be 100% powered by clean energy.
New building management system and other energy reduction measures
In the past 12 months, the BIC has taken a number of measures to reduce energy consumption. This included a new building management system that efficiently monitors and manages the provision of lighting and air conditioning, an upgrade to more efficient air conditioning refrigerants and the replacement of all street and building lighting with LEDs.
Energy saving measures compiled in the BIC will save more than 30% in energy use during this year.
Recycling and waste
For F1 2023, BIC has upgraded and expanded its recycling facilities. BIC is working with specialist Urbaser to increase the number of separate waste containers across the Paddock and public spaces and has also introduced a special composting machine that enables fans in public spaces to dispose of food waste in a dedicated composting machine. Bin sets are made by Urbaser also with electric scooters.
BIC is also working on other measures to reduce plastic use. A major new item for 2023 is the introduction of water dispensers in fan areas, where fans can fill reusable water bottles with free drinking water, thus saving on plastic water bottle use.
In addition, BIC also works with specialized organizations for the recycling of waste oil and steel.
Measurement and carbon accounting
In order to ensure best practices in all of these areas and for BIC to be able to ensure appropriate and responsible measurement, it has recently partnered with the SEE Institute, a specialist cross-sustainability consultancy. The partnership will involve introducing new best practices to the department in all areas of sustainability and will also manage the areas of measurement and carbon accounting.
Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit, said:
We have significantly stepped up our efforts across several areas of sustainability this year, working alongside our partners and across government to ensure we continue our journey to reduce our impact on the planet.
The actions we have taken this year, together with our ambitious plans to expand our solar facility, as well as other plans for the future, will help ensure that we support Formula 1 and the government in Bahrain in their net zero targets. “
Ellen Jones, Head of Sustainability at Formula 1, said:
“It is great to see how the Bahrain Grand Prix has embraced sustainability, demonstrating the direct action we look forward to from our Formula 1 promoters as we pursue our goal of being net zero by 2030. Last year we issued guidance to all our race promoters. To assist them in best practices when running a sustainable event that looks at key areas such as energy, plastics and waste, wellbeing, nature and local fan travel. We look forward to seeing these initiatives in place in events throughout the season, starting with the season opener in Bahrain this weekend.”
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