Qurayat STP to run largely on solar power

Muscat, Dec 29 - Oman’s wastewater utility Haya Water is investing in solar PV based electricity generation capacity at its Qurayat Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Muscat Governorate — a move that will be replicated at other STPs across the country. The installation of solar PV systems at Haya Water’s facilities is aimed at securing part of its electricity requirements from environment-friendly, zero-carbon renewables based generation capacity. A team of officials from Haya Water visited the Qurayat STP last week to mark the launch of the solar PV system. The team also toured the site of Al Amerat (A1) STP currently under construction.

Eng Hussain bin Hassan AbdulHussain, Haya Water’s CEO, said solar PV systems will also be installed at other STPs operated by the utility. The decision to adopt solar power stems from studies conducted by Haya Water to evaluate the benefits of renewables-based capacity in meeting the company’s energy needs. The solar plant at Qurayat STP will produce around 1,000 kilowattPeak (kWp) per day, which will cover80 per cent of the plant’s energy requirements, said the CEO, adding that Omani SMEs played a key role in the development of the facility.

Meanwhile, Al Amerat A1 STP currently under construction will have a capacity of 18,000 cubic metres per day in the first phase and will offer modern wastewater treatment and odour control technology. The project is expected to be completed in June 2019. The new STP will serve around 60 per cent of homes and establishments in Al Amerat.