OPWP launches tender for Oman’s first large utility scale solar IPP project
Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), member of Nama Group, announced the launch of the first large utility scale solar PV independent power project (IPP) in Oman.
Officially announcing the launch of the first large utility scale solar PV independent power project (IPP) in Oman. pic.twitter.com/qVSbdTuGgc
— Nama Group (@group_nama) December 27, 2017
His Excellency Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, chairman of Public Authority for Electricity and Water (Diam) said that the government is moving forward on diversifying its energy resources in order to drive sustainability at the economic and environmental fronts.
The development of the first large utility scale solar PV IPP will follow the successful IPP structure established in Oman, using a transparent competition process to award the contract to a highly qualified private sector project company delivering a world class technology solution. The qualification process for the developers was announced by OPWP through the launch of the a Request for Qualification (RFQ).
The estimated project cost is approximately 500 Million US Dollars that will be built, owned and operated by the private sector and the scope of the project includes financing, procurement, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of a new power plant, with generation capacity of 500 MW, to be located at Ibri which is around 300 km west from Muscat.
The plant output will be sufficient to supply an estimated 33,000 homes with electricity and offset 340,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. It is planned that the award of the project will be in the second half of Q4 2018 and the project is to be commercially operational by early 2021.
Hamdan Ali Al Hinai, chairman of OPWP stated:
“This project will be the first in the chain of renewables projects that the company is planning to develop in the coming few years to support the sustainability approach of the country”.
Source: Press Release by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP). Photo Credit: © Nama Group.
