Oman has announced its plans for the procurement of a second, utility-scale solar power plant in line with the Sultanate’s vision to diversify fuel resources for power generation.
The solar photo-voltaic (PV) based Independent Power Project (IPP) will be due for commercial launch in 2022 alongside Oman’s first commercial-scale solar, ‘Ibri II Solar IPP’, according to Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP)
During the procurement of the solar scheme, OPWP said: “In line with Oman’s vision to diversify fuel sources for power generation and following the ongoing procurement of the first utility scale solar PV IPP in Oman, OPWP would now like to initiate the process for the second utility scale solar project to the connected to the Main Interconnected System in Oman, with a capacity between 500 MW to 1,000 MW, known as Solar 2022 IPP.”
A Request for Proposal (RfP) has been issued for technical consultancy services for the development of the Solar 2022 IPP and to advice on the competitive tendering of the project. As for the Ibri II Solar IPP, RfP is already issued to 12 international companies and the project is expected to be commercially viable in Ibri (northwest Oman) by 2021.
The OPWP’s schemes are in line with Oman’s commitment to ensuring Renewable Energy projects account for 10 percent share of electricity generation by 2025. The development plan comprises of solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects and an acquisition plan of more than 2600 MW of renewable energy IPPs by 2025.
According to OPWPs’ sever-year plan, the third solar IPP and two wind-based IPPs will commence competitive process and procurement process respectively towards the end of 2019. Commercial operation for both to be expected in 2023.