Oman's solar and coal-fired power plan makes new progress

According to Oman's official English-language newspaper "Observer", an executive of Oman Hydropower Purchasing Company (OPWP) told the reporter that Oman's first large-scale solar independent power station project is expected to start the bidding process before the end of the year. Oman Hydropower Purchasing Company is one of the few owners in the field of new energy generation and desalination in Oman.

According to Yaqoob bin Saifal Kiyumi, CEO of Oman Hydro Purchasing,

Oman Hydropower Purchasing Company is in the process of developing a qualification review process for large-scale solar projects, and the qualification requirements (RfQ) will be announced before the end of the year. This project will be the first in the renewable energy field in the region, and one of the similar large-scale projects in the region. The installed capacity will reach several hundred megawatts. The project location is likely to be one of Ibri, Manah and Adam.

Al Kiyumi said that Oman's feasibility study on coal power generation has also made significant progress. If finally approved by the government, it will help diversify the energy structure and gradually get rid of the current state of natural gas as a single fuel for power generation and desalination projects.

AlKiyumi pointed out that the Oman Hydropower Procurement Company plans to launch a coal-fired power station project with an installed capacity of about 1,800 megawatts and a power generation capacity of 600 megawatts, which will be carried out in stages according to the needs of different regions to avoid concentration of production capacity in one region. Dukum is one of the candidate sites for the coal-fired power station project. Because it is located outside the two main power grids, it is challenging to export the remaining power from Dukum. The final choice will be based on the increase in power demand in the region.