Oman Inaugurates $403 Mn Mega Solar Energy Project

  • Date: 25-Jan-2022
  • Source: Asharq AL-awsat
  • Sector:Oil & Gas
  • Country:Oman
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Oman Inaugurates $403 Mn Mega Solar Energy Project

Oman inaugurated Ibri 2, the first solar independent power project (IPP) to be launched under the country’s national renewable energy program and connected to the primary national grid.

The project is located in the northwestern governorate of al-Dhahirah with an investment of $417 million, with a capacity of 500MW. It comprises of 1.5 million bi-facial solar panels and extends over an area of 13 million square meters.

The project is a consortium consisting of ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC), and Alternative Energy Projects Co. (AEPC).

At peak generation capacity, the plant output will be enough to supply an estimated 50,000 homes with electricity and offset 340,000 tones of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

The project will efficiently deliver clean energy to the primary national grid, create tangible socioeconomic value, and contract local start-ups to build mechanical installations.

CEO of Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) Yaqoob al-Kiyumi, described the project as a “milestone” and a “remarkable achievement” that delivers on the national priorities set by Oman Vision 2040, which entail environmental conservation, utilization of natural resources, the development of governorates, and the integration of the private sector.

Kiyumi stressed that Ibri 2 would be a turning point for launching similar projects in renewable energy.

He