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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Musandam gears up for gas-based power supply

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By Conrad Prabhu — MUSCAT: APRIL 25 - The Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO), a subsidiary of Nama Group (formerly The Electricity Holding Company), has announced the successful commencement of the energisation of its key 132kV network that connects the newly built Musandam Power Plant at Tibat with the existing grid serving much of Musandam Governorate. Energisation marks a step closer to providing the governorate with electricity generated from natural gas as a fuel resource, supplanting diesel-based generation for the first time in this northernmost enclave of the Sultanate. In a recent tweet, RAECO said: “Musandam I32kV Project energisation process has been initiated with Musandam Independent Power plant at Tibat.”


With this key milestone, all of the different components necessary to make possible the supply of gas-based power are now fully in place. This includes the 132kV transmission network — a RO 37 million project that was undertaken by Saudi based electrical contractor National Contracting Company (NCC). It included the construction of an 80 km overhead line connecting the Independent Power Project (IPP) at Tibat with existing networks in Bukha, Khasab and Diba.  In addition, 132kV grid stations were built in each of these locations.


But the centrepiece of the project is the Musandam Power Plant, a 120 megawatt gas-turbine driven scheme developed by Musandam Power Company (MPC), a joint venture between Oman Oil Company SAOC, the Government’s investment arm in the energy related sectors, holding a 70 per cent stake, and LG International Corp, with the balance 30 per cent stake. Natural gas as fuel for the power plant comes from the adjoining Musandam Gas Processing Plant, a facility owned and operated by Oman Oil Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production (OOCEP).


The gas plant, which came into operation early last year, processes liquids from the Bukha and West Bukha fields offshore the Musandam peninsula. Part of the natural gas output from the plant will be supplied to the Musandam power project under a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) already concluded with the Ministry of Oil & Gas. The power plant’s 120MW capacity comprises a set of dual-fuel reciprocating engines supplied by Finnish power solutions specialist Wärtsilä Energy Solutions.


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