Oman Begins Tendering for 500-MW Solar Project

When the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia and UAE are going bullish on renewable energy, Oman doesn’t like the idea of staying behind by far. In a key development, Oman Power and Water Procurement Co. (OPWP) has come up with a tender to select the independent power producers (IPPs) for the development of a 500 megawatt (MW) solar energy park. The project has been named ‘Ibri III Solar IPP Project.’

OPWP, a member of Nama Group, has sought proposals from interested bidders to provide technical consultancy for the development of the project and to advise on the competitive tendering of the solar project.

According to the tender document, The Ibri III Solar IPP Project will be built in Ibri. The city lies in the governorate of Ad Dhahirah in north-west Oman. Developers can submit their bids till December 7, 2022. The document holds that the solar power project is scheduled to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2026.

This is the fourth 500 MW solar plant project that is being tendered by Oman authority. Out of all, one solar project named ‘Ibri 2 Solar Project’ of 500-MW has been brought online. The solar project was developed in 13-months and it was inaugurated in January this year.

The Omani Government has planned to add about 4 GW of renewables capacity by the end of this decade. The new regulation for rooftop PV, besides utility scale solar projects, that was announced in 2018 by the government would also help in achieving the renewables target. The target is to have at least 10 per cent of Oman’s electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025 and subsequently raising it to 39 per cent by 2040.

The Sultanate is also assessing the long coastal parts of Sadah in Dhofar Governorate and Ras Madrakah in Al Wusta Governorate for the development of wind farm projects. Global renewable players ACME and H2-Industries are working on their multi-billion dollar plans to develop green hydrogen facility in Oman for global exports purposes.