MUSCAT: Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) marked a significant milestone with the signing of agreements totalling over RO 322 million for the strategic 'Rabt – Phase 2' and Dhofar Governorate projects. The signing ceremony, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre under the auspices of Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), and was attended by key officials representing Nama Holding, OETC, contractors, and consultants.
The ceremony included the signing of agreements with each of Larsen and Toubro, Oman National Engineering and Investment Company, Zawawi Powertech Engineering, Bahwan Engineering Company, Monenco Consulting Engineers and Mott MacDonald.
The strategic 'Rabt – Phase 2' project’s total cost reaches up to RO 257 million and includes the establishment of three grid stations with high voltages reaching up to 400 kV, in addition to extending 400 kV overhead lines over a distance exceeding 550 km.
The project aims to connect the main transmission network with the Dhofar electricity network by establishing transmission lines between 400/132 kV Duqm Industrial Grid Station and 400/132 kV Dhofar Grid Station, which will be established in Salalah. In addition, the project includes establishing an immediate switching grid station at Shaleem area to control power and voltages and serve the requirements of Dhofar Integrated Services Company and others, alongside serving the potential future generation connections in the governorate.
The project includes extending 400 kV connections to two new wind farms stations planned in the Ras Madrakah area with a capacity of 300 Megawatts and the Harweel area with a capacity of 200 Megawatts. Moreover, it will connect the 400/132 kV Thamrait Grid Station. The project is expected to be finalised by 2027.
Furthermore, the electricity transmission network expansion projects in Dhofar Governorate, which hold a total investment of RO 65 million, include the establishment of 132 kV transmission line spanning across 269 km. These transmission lines will be connecting the Wilayat of Al Mazyouna and Shahab Aseeb, passing by Madhi. Additionally, this project involves the construction of three 132 kV Grid Stations, and it is expected to be finalised by 2026.
The strategic 'Rabt – Phase 2' includes four projects in total, in which the first project involves the construction of 400/132 kV Duqm Industrial Grid Station (GS) and its associated transmission lines of a total length of 40 km. The second project entails the construction of 400 kV overhead lines stretching 290 kilometres from the 400/132 kV Duqm Industrial GS to the 400 kV Shaleem Switching Station. Following that, the third project involves establishing 400 kV overhead lines spanning approximately 260 kilometres from the 400 kV Shaleem Switching Station to the 400/132 kV Dhofar GS.
Additionally, the fourth project under the 'Rabt – Phase 2' initiative encompasses the construction of the 400 kV Shaleem Switching Station. The project includes setting up the 400/132 kV Dhofar GS.
On the other hand, the network expansion projects in Dhofar Governorate includes a total of three grid station projects. The first project involves the construction of 132/33 kV Mudhi GS, which includes an extension of Thamrait GS and an 84km 132 kV overhead line connecting Thamrait GS to Mudhi GS. The second project includes the construction of 132/33 Al Mazyouna GS, as well as 103km of 132 kV overhead lines from Mudhi GS to Al Mazyouna GS. Finally, the third project includes the construction of 132/33 kV Shahab Aseeb GS, in addition to 82 km of 132 kV overhead lines from Mudhi GS to Shahab Aseeb GS.
These projects aim to enhance reliable, secure, and sustainable electricity supply by completing the connection of the electricity network in northern Oman with the south, alongside expansion of electricity transmission network in Dhofar Governorate. Moreover, they contribute to achieving the Carbon Neutrality Goal by 2050 through reducing carbon emissions by more than 110,000 tonnes in total on an annual basis. Furthermore, the projects aim to reduce operational costs by reducing diesel usage and saving up to over 40 million litres of diesel annually.
Eng Saleh al Rumhi, OETC’s CEO, pointed out the company's devotion to enhance the reliability, safety, and sustainability of the electricity transmission network across various governorates of Oman, to align with the desired development and growth in various sectors, and to contribute to progress in the developmental journey to achieve national targets at all levels.
Al Rumhi added: "Our aspirations and vision are reflected through various projects undertaken by the OETC, aiming to contribute to achieving the Carbon Neutrality Goal by 2050, enhancing the strength, reliability, security, and availability of electricity supply to serve growth in various fields. Furthermore, this aims to empower the development in the Sultanate of Oman, and enrich the economic sector by fostering its development and enhancing the business environment to attract more local, regional, and global investments in line with Oman Vision 2040, aiming to make Oman one of the strongest economic and investment destinations globally."
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