The Sur Independent Power Project (IPP) in Oman is predicted to be completely commissioned by Q3 2014, adding 2,000MW to the countrys existing power capacity
According to the latest report by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), the Sur IPP is one of the ?key priorities of 2014?. The power project has faced several functional delays in the past, due to which the OPWP contracted temporary power generation for the Main Interconnected System (MIS) as a backup.
The report also stated that the Al Ghubrah Independent Water Project (IWP) will be given a commercial operation date by Q1 2015. The Al Ghubrah IWP is owned by the Muscat City Desalination Company and has a contracted desalination capacity of 191,000 cu/m per day and functions on reverse osmosis (RO) technology.
The project will soon be classified as ?special nature? and regulated as a licensed entity by the Authority of Electricity Regulation, added the report.
Aside from the Al Ghubrah IWP and Sur IPP, the OPWP?s key activities for the upcoming year include issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) and signing power/water purchase agreements for the Salalah 2 IPP, Musandam IPP and Qurayyat IWP.
According to OPWP, 740MW of power is needed for 2017 and a minimum addition of 1,860MW is required for 2018. In order to avoid power and water deficits in the sultanate, the company has conducted coastal studies across the country to identify potential suitable sites for power and water production over the next 30 years.
So far, 56 sites have been shortlisted, including Ibri, Sohar and Suwaiq, to help generate up to 2,850MW of power and 190,500 cu/m of water.
