Business

Al Kamil tipped to host Oman’s latest 500 MW solar project

 
MUSCAT, MAY 13

The Wilayat of Al Kamil wal Wafi in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate has been identified as a possible location for the establishment of a grid-connected solar 500 MW solar PV power plant, which is slated to come into operation in the second quarter of 2027.

Al Kamil is the third location - after Ibri (Al Dhahirah Governorate) and Manah (Al Dakhiliyah Governorate) – to be evaluated by authorities for its suitability to host large-scale solar farms to support Oman’s transition to renewables resources for electricity. While Ibri already hosts Oman’s first grid-connected solar PV scheme – a 500 MW project that came into operation in Q4 2021, Manah will shortly welcome developers who recently won mandates to build a pair of solar power schemes of a total capacity of 1000 MW.

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), the state-run single buyer of electricity and water output, is overseeing the procurement of new solar and wind farms in line with a national commitment to secure at least 39 per cent of domestic electricity needs from renewable sources by 2040.

The next solar scheme – a 500 MW capacity scheme – is planned to come up at Ibri in Al Dhahirah Governorate. It will be connected to the grid by Q1 2026, according to national grid operator Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), member of Nama Group.

Wind farms are also planned for implementation over the next several years in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Ras Madrakah, Duqm, Harweel,