The report is an annual publication prepared by Oman Vision 2040 Implementation and Follow-up Unit and gives updates on various projects undertaken under the Oman Vision 2040.

The report said several wind projects of varying capacities have been planned across seven locations – Sur, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Duqm-1, Duqm-2, Al Jazir, Shaleem and Sadah – over the next seven years.

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) tender is also expected to be approved by the Authority for Public Services Regulation this year, the report said.

It also noted that Oman Power and Water Procurement Company’s (OPWP) wind energy procurement programme has been renamed to Wind 2025 from Wind 2023 to reflect the new expected Commercial Operations Date (COD). The erstwhile Wind IPP 2023 involved the procurement of two wind IPPs with a combined installed capacity of 300 megawatt with COD of 2023, according to OPWP’s 7 Year Statement 2019-2025.

In June 2021, Oman Daily Observer had reported that the tender for a 100 MW wind power project in the southern part of the Sultanate is due to be floated before end-2021.

Solar projects delayed 

The bid submission for two IPP solar projects totalling 1 GW, Manah 1 and Manah 2 located in the Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, has been delayed as travel restrictions imposed due to COVID 19 prevented bidders from visiting the site to prepare Technical Qualification (TQ), the ISFU report noted but did not specify a new timeline.

The 11-site hybrid solar photovoltaic-diesel IPP project to be awarded by end 2020 is still under evaluation, according to Tanweer’s website. The qualified bidders submitted the proposals with their comments on 15 October 2020 to Tanweer.

Energy efficiency measures on hold 

Two projects to improve energy efficiency – Building Code Initiative and Green Zone – have been put on hold due to the pandemic, financial constraints and government restructuring, the report said.

The Building Code initiative, which aims to set standards for energy efficient buildings was put on hold as “the project does not have ownership and budget”, said the report.

Under the Green Zone initiative, government buildings were identified for implementing solar roof top projects and energy audit and retrofit projects.

Audits conducted revealed that an average of 30 percent savings could be achieved in these buildings by implementing the Energy Service Companies (ESCO) model, the report said adding, the tender for the first phase comprising 14 buildings was rolled-out under the ESCO model.

Though the site assessment study contract was awarded, the project was put on hold as it faced challenges in getting government financial guarantee, the report said.

Waste-to-energy 

Oman Environmental Service Holding Company (Be’ah) had conducted a feasibility study for Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project in 2017, and OPWP had subsequently updated the technical and economic aspects of the feasibility study in 2018 with a focus on the mechanism and economic viability of developing a WTE project. In February 2020, OPWP received a direction from the former AER to place the project [100 MW Barka WTE IPP] on hold and reassess the feasibility after 12 months.

Source: ZAWYA