DUQM: Marafiq, a joint venture owned by OQ (a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority), shared its substantial impact to the local economy through a series of managed projects within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).
In a presentation to top officials, Eng Abdullah Mohammed al Hashimi, Managing Director – Marafiq, said the company’s direct contribution to the local economy, in the form of In-Country Value (ICV), exceeded $100 million in 2023. Emphasizing the company's ongoing efforts, he stated that Marafiq is consistently striving to enhance its value add to ICV by actively sourcing for Omani products, awarding numerous contracts to local businesses, and prioritizing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in its tender processes.
The presentation was attended by Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), Halima bint Rashid al Zari, Chairperson of SMEs Development Authority, and Eng Bader bin Salim al Mamari, Secretary General of the Tender Board. The attendees also toured the projects undertaken by the Company within the Duqm SEZ to gain insights into Marafiq's role in fostering entrepreneurial initiatives, backing small and medium-sized enterprises, and delivering highly efficient services in the areas of electricity generation and desalinated water supply, plus drinking water supply to the Zone.
Al Hashimi explained that Marafiq has successfully enhanced ICV by around $55 million through goods manufactured in Oman; also allocating $36 million in contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises via the Duqm Integrated Power and Water Plant (DIPWP), and contributed up to $10 million in value-added projects in the drinking water sector.
Marafiq manages and operates the Duqm Integrated Power and Water Plant (DIPWP), specifically developed for the OQ8 Duqm Refinery and Oil Terminal Facilities (OTTCO) in Ras Markaz. DIPWP boasts an installed capacity of 326 MW of power and 36,000 m3 of desalinated water per day. Additionally, Marafiq manages an 80MW gas turbine power plant to support the electricity requirements of the Duqm SEZ grid.
Marafiq also manages the potable water sector within the Duqm SEZ under the license granted by APSR. During the meeting, Marafiq's approach to overseeing the electricity and water sectors within the SEZ, along with the company's role in fostering a conducive environment for investment growth in the area, was discussed.
Al Hashimi explained that Marafiq has developed an ambitious strategy aimed at advancing the electricity and drinking water sectors in the SEZAD. He also highlighted Marafiq's operations in supplying power and desalinated water to the OQ8 Duqm Refinery, as well as delivering power to the OTTCO Oil Storage Terminal in Ras Markaz via a new 80 km High Voltage transmission line between Duqm and Ras Markaz.
Marafiq’s strategy streamlines requirements for companies within the SEZAD by offering electricity, desalinated and potable water, and drinking water services, on a competitive and dedicated basis. He highlighted in this context that Marafiq has already successfully connected the Vulcan Green Steel project to the water network, to support its project construction phase.
Marafiq has effectively doubled the production capacity of drinking water in recent years, achieving a daily output of 9,000 m3 and expanding storage capacity to 22 thousand m3. Currently, the primary water transmission lines in the zone extend over 46 kilometers, with the water distribution network pipes totaling 131 kilometers in length. Additionally, the number of customers to the water network has reached approximately 2800 by the end of 2023.
Al Hashimi also highlighted that Marafiq's dedication to meeting numerous international standards in the administration of the water network within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm has resulted in a notable reduction of network losses to 9.1% which “stands among the lowest globally.
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