MUSCAT: The official inauguration ceremony of phase one of the strategic project 'Rabt' was held on Thursday under the auspices of HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC).
The project, worth RO 183 million, is implemented by Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) as part of its commitment to enhancing the reliability and security of the electricity network and supply across various regions of the Sultanate of Oman.
The first phase includes the construction of 5 grid stations: Nahida grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, Suwayhat grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, Barik grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, Duqm grid station with a voltage of 400/132/33 kilovolts, and Mahout grid station with a voltage of 400/33 kilovolts. Additionally, these projects are connected through 400kV overhead lines covering 670 kilometers. Commenced in October 2023, the total cost of the first phase of this project has exceeded 183 million Omani rials.
The first phase of the 'Rabt' project is divided into five different projects. The initial project involves the construction of the Barik and Suwayhat grid stations with a voltage of 400 kilovolts. The Barik grid station comprises 12 GIS Bays with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, along with 2 transformers with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 500 mega volt-amperes. The project also includes the installation of 10 GIS Bays with a voltage of 132 kilovolts, 4 parallel reactors, as well as control, protection, communication systems, and associated construction works. As for the Suwayhat grid station, it consists of 12 GIS Bays with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, and 2 transformers with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 500 mega volt-amperes. Additionally, there are 12 gas-insulated cells with a voltage of 132 kilovolts, 6 parallel reactors, and corresponding control, protection, communication systems, and construction activities.
The second project involves the construction of 400-kilovolt overhead power lines connecting the Barik and Suwayhat grid stations, as well as linking the Barik and Nahida stations over a distance of 322 km. The project comprises 194 km of electrical transmission overhead lines from the Nahida grid station to the Barik grid station and 128 km of electrical transmission lines from the Barik grid station to the Suwayhat grid station. The project also includes the installation of towers, electrical insulators, and associated construction works.
The third project involves the construction of the Duqm and Mahout grid stations with a voltage of 400 kilovolts. The Duqm grid station comprises 12 GIS Bays with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, along with 2 transformers with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 500 mega volt-amperes. Additionally, it includes 8 GIS Bays with a voltage of 132 kilovolts, and 4 transformers with a voltage of 132/33 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 125 mega volt-amperes. The grid station also features 42 GIS Bays with a voltage of 33 kilovolts, 6 parallel reactors, and associated construction works.
As for the Mahout grid station, it consists of 9 GIS Bays with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, along with 2 transformers with a voltage of 400/33 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 125 mega volt-amperes. Additionally, there are 21 GIS Bays with a voltage of 33 kilovolts, 3 parallel reactors, and control, protection, communication systems, and associated construction activities. Both grid stations will support the rural network, enhancing the growing industrial and economic activities in the Duqm Economic Zone.
As for the fourth project, it involves the construction of 400-kilovolt overhead power lines connecting the Duqm and Mahout grid stations, as well as linking the Duqm and Suwayhat grid stations over a distance of 349 km. The project comprises 197 km of electrical transmission lines from the Suwayhat station to the Duqm station and 152 km of overhead lines from the Duqm station to the Mahout station. This includes the electrical insulators, towers, and associated construction works.
The fifth project involves the construction of the Nahida Grid Station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts. The grid station consists of 14 GIS Bays with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, along with 2 transformers with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts, each with a capacity of 500 mega volt-amperes. Additionally, it includes 8 GIS Bays with a voltage of 132 kilovolts, as well as control, protection, communication systems, and associated construction works. The overhead line connecting the Izki and Ibri grid stations, with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, is redirected through the new Nahida grid station. This grid station serves as a key connection point between the northern and southern regions of Oman, linking the electrical grid of the Omani Electricity Transmission Company in the north to the network of the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in the south.
The project contributes to achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040, serving as a gateway to overcoming challenges, anticipating the future, and adapting to changes. It also involves seizing available opportunities and developing new ones to enhance economic competitiveness, social well-being, and growth across various sectors. This project will enhance the reliability of the electrical network in different regions and governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, thereby improving the level and efficiency of services provided in various fields and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, the project will support the stimulation of the national economy by supplying necessary electrical power to all projects, supporting the Duqm Economic Zone, and attracting global investments. Additionally, it will contribute to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 by replacing diesel units in projects with gas units, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Ahmed Amer al Mahrzi, OETC Chairman of the Board of Directors, emphasised the significance of the project and its pivotal role in achieving progress and growth in the electricity sector specifically, and in all vital sectors in Oman as a whole. He added, "The Rabt project is one of the national strategic projects that we rely on significantly. The project aims to enhance the efficiency, integration, and security of the national electricity transmission network, in addition to reducing harmful carbon emissions. It is expected that the reduction in carbon emissions will exceed 474,000 tons annually after closing 14 diesel-powered stations. This contributes to saving over 175 million liters of diesel annually and reducing costs by more than RO 64 million."
Eng Saleh Nasser al Rumhi, CEO of OETC, affirmed the strategic importance of this project and its contribution to driving the wheel of development in Oman across all sectors. It will enhance public services in various fields, ultimately improving the quality of life and its efficiency in the Sultanate of Oman. Furthermore, it is expected to attract more foreign investments that, in turn, will contribute to the developmental process on all fronts.
On his turn, Eng Masoud Salam al Riyami, the Chief Operational Officer at OETC, highlighted the significant investment scale being carried out through this project, with a total cost exceeding RO 370 million. The project is divided into two phases to connect the electricity network in the north of the Sultanate of Oman with the south. The first phase of the project has been inaugurated, while the second phase includes the construction of three grid stations and overhead power lines with a voltage of 400 kilovolts, spanning a length of 550 km. - ONA
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