‘Smart metering’ project kicks off

MUSCAT, sept 5 - The second phase of the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) initiative — also known as ‘smart metering’ for the electricity sector— is set to under way across the Sultanate. It follows the award of a contract by Nama Group (formerly known as The Electricity Holding Company) to CESI, a world-leading technical consulting and engineering company.

Closely monitored by the Authority for Electricity Regulation and in line with their vision, the AMR implementation project for high value customers was made to serve the distribution companies in Oman — Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC), Mazoon Electricity Company (MZEC), Majan Electricity Company (MJEC), Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO) and Dhofar Power Company (DPC) — to create a higher level of interconnectivity, engagement and sustainability.

With a goal of enhancing the quality and speed of processing metering data, this AMR rollout will work towards improving billing accuracy, mitigating losses, lessening query related costs and reducing debtor days.

“Having worked with CESI on the first phase of this project, we are confident that they have the expertise to continuously support Nama Group with this project,” explained Mansoor al Hinai, VP Distribution in Nama Group.

“CESI has already developed the blueprint for the AMR implementation for high value customers in Oman, and we are confident in their abilities to manage this complex project and ensure its successful rollout.”

The project is expected to be completed in two years, during which the AMR system will be implemented according to the highest technical and quality standards; and will allow for the knowledge transfer from suppliers and advisors, enabling NG to operate the AMR solution independently at the conclusion of the AMR project.

“We are honoured to work with the EHC and the Sultanate of Oman on such a landmark project. We are fully committed to providing the strategic approach, essential to such a revolutionary project. Through its extensive experience in the GCC, CESI’s long-term objective is to support the development of the electricity sector in Oman. By enabling the AMR solution, we can support the policy for the establishment of a really effective power sector market in the Country,” stated Dr Matteo Codazzi, CEO, CESI.

The objective of this AMR rollout is to implement a central system in order to obtain customer readings remotely. With such a system, the Authority for Electricity Regulation in the Sultanate will be able to provide companies and customers with interface access to their AMR information; enable competition and customers switching between supply companies; and provide consumption analysis that will allow better loss management strategies and theft detection.

CESI role is to manage the project activities end-to-end and to ensure the proper coordination and delivery of the several contractors and service providers and manufacturers involved in the implementation.

With a solid track record experience in the GCC, CESI has developed some of the biggest projects in the region. CESI has been present in Oman since 2012 working on a number of consultancy undertakings, including: the development of hybrid diesel / solar PV generation projects; assessing the technical and economic feasibility of a hybrid project in regard to power stations of small and large capacity for RAECO; and, the development of the Standards for installation and implementation PV Solar panels for the Distribution Companies of Oman and inspections of small scale solar installations on rooftops of schools throughout the Sultanate for Shell Development Oman.