MUSCAT: Pressing ahead with its strategy to harness renewable energy resources for its electricity requirements, the Sultanate of Oman – represented by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) – has unveiled plans for the develoment of as many as three wind-based Independent Power Projects (IPPs) at key locations around the country.
Wind-based IPPs are envisioned for implementation in Duqm (Al Wusta Governorate), Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (North Al Sharqiyah Governorate), and Harweel (Dhofar Governorate), according to the state-owned power procurer and offtaker.
All three schemes are scheduled to be brought into operation during 2026, the company – part of Nama Group – noted in tender announcements seeking legal, commercial and financial advisory support in the procurement of these projects by competitive tender.
“In line with Sultanate of Oman’s vision to diversify fuel sources through the use of clean energy for power generation, OPWP wishes to initiate the procurement process for three wind projects (Duqm Wind IPP, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Wind IPP and Harweel Wind IPP) with a target Schedule Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) by Q2 2026 for Duqm Wind IPP and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali Wind IPP and SCOD by Q4 2026 for Harweel Wind IPP. OPWP is seeking proposals from interested bidders to provide commercial and financial consultancy services for the development of the Projects and to advise on the competitive tendering of the Projects,” said OPWP.
To ensure the suitability of the selected locations, OPWP has been gathering meteorological data and other inputs – part of wind resources assessment studies to help underpin the overall bankability and deliverability of the projects. A number of 100-metre tall meteorological masts and monitoring stations have been installed in place at the proposed sites in Duqm and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali.
Although power generation capacities for individual wind farms have not been disclosed yet as part of the latest tender announcements, OPWP had previously discussed the potential for a 100 MW capacity wind farm in Jaalan Banu Bu Ali, with a larger project of up to 200 MW envisioned in Duqm.
In Harweel (Dhofar Governorate), OPWP had previously outlined the potential for a new wind farm of around 100 MW adjoining the site of Oman’s maiden wind-powered project at Harweel – a modest 50 MW venture that came into operation in 2019. Owned by the Rural Areas Electricity Company (Tanweer), a subsidiary of Nama Group, Harweel-1 comprises of 13 wind turbines.
Interest bidders have until February 25, 2023 to collect the tender documents to participate in the consultancy services tenders. Submission of final offers is March 22, 2023 for Commercial & Legal Services bids and March 23, 2023 for Legal bids.
Oman has a target to secure a 10 per cent contribution from renewables to its electricity requirements by 2025, rising to 39 per cent by 2040.
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