Nama PWP has awarded a contract to Arctech for the tracker solutions for the 500 MW Manah I IPP. Arctech won the same contract for the Manah II PV project earlier in 2023. The two IPPs – Manah I and Manah II – will have a total production capacity of 1,088 MW, generated using solar photovoltaic technology. The projects will include over 2mn solar panels and will be set up on an area of 14.5mn sqm. The Manah I project adopted Arctech's flagship 1P SkyLine II tracker. With its multi-point drive mechanism and patented triple D torque tube, SkyLine II greatly enhances system stability under desert wind loads. The tracker's wind stow speed reaches 22m/s. Meanwhile, the highly stable torque tube allows a post span of up to 10m, reducing post quantities by around 20% and lowering civil work costs. To enhance system adaptability and power generation efficiency, Arctech provided customer-centric customized solution designs optimized for the Manah I project's needs. For the undulating terrain with depressions, four different module heights were customized to better adapt to the site's topography. To boost energy yields, the tracker-bifacial module combination creates a synergistic 1+1>2 effect. Additionally, the purlins underwent bearing capacity optimization for better cleaning robot compatibility, minimizing soiling losses and boosting generation performance. (April 2024)

• OPWP is set to launch tender for setting up the first large-scale solar independent power projects (IPPs) in the sultanate, by the end of 2017. (September 2017)
• Client has issued the RFQ for the second phase of the solar projects to be located at Manah. Last date to submit the pre-qualification documents is 26 August, 2019. The projects will include Manah Solar I IPP and Manah Solar II IPP, each with a generation capacity between 500 MW to 600 MW. (July 2019)
• OPWP is preparing to announce the names of pre-qualified firms in November. (November 2019)
• OPWP is set to issue the RFP for the second phase of solar projects at Manah, in January, 2020. The second phase solar projects will include Manah Solar I IPP and Manah Solar II IPP, each with a generation capacity between 500 MW to 600 MW. (December 2019)
• The firms pre-qualified firms for the second phase of solar projects at Manah, are: Acwa Power of Saudi Arabia, Eni of Italy / Softbank Energy of Japan, Jinko of China, Korea Western Power Company / Hanyang Corporation / Solar Reserve Limited / Nafath Renewable Energy of Oman, Marubeni of Japan, Masdar of UAE / EDF of France, Power Construction Corporation of China, TagEnergy of Nigeria / Al-Shanfari Group of Oman, and Total Solar International of France. (December 2019)
• Tender for the second phase of solar projects at Manah is set to be issued by the end of this month. (January 2020)
• The Oman Government’s directive to cut project spending this year could further delay the procurement timeline for the sultanate’s next renewable round, which includes the procurement of two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Manah (Manah 1 and 2). OPWP had expected to issue the RFP for the projects in the first quarter. (April 2020)
• OPWP has issued the RFP for the planned second phase of solar projects at Manah. Last date to submit bids is 7 December, 2020. Each project will be awarded to a separate bidder. (July 2020)
• OPWP has invited bids for the construction of new 400kv Manah Grid Station with Associated Overhead Transmission Line. Last date to submit bids is 31 December, 2021. (December 2020)
• Bids submission deadline for the planned second phase of solar projects at Manah has been extended to 16 March, 2021 from the previous deadline of 7 December, 2020. (February 2021)
• OPWP has yet again extended the bids submission deadline to 25 May, 2021 for the planned second phase of solar projects at Manah. (April 2021)
• OPWP said, Manah Solar I and II IPPs – each having a generation capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) – are now slated for commercial operation in Q4 2023 and Q1 2024 respectively. (May 2021)
• The pre-qualified bidders may be given a further two-month extension to submit their proposals from the earlier deadline of 25 May, 2021 for the planned second phase of solar projects at Manah. (June 2021)
• OPWP is expected to have the commercial bids submission to take place in early 2022 for the planned second phase of solar projects at Manah. The pre-qualified groups for the Manah 1 and 2 PV solar independent power producer (IPP) projects have already submitted technical proposals for the project. (November 2021)
• “Manah 1 & 2 Solar IPP Project will have a production capacity of 1,000 MW for both plants, with an investment value of RO 300 million,” the Oman 2040 Vision Implementation Follow-up Unit has stated. (November 2021)
• OPWP has amended the RFP for the planned Manah 1 and 2 PV solar IPP projects, which will each have a capacity of 500-600 MW. The changes to the RFP are to do with some changes to the site – however, the planned capacities will remain 500-600 MW for each project. OPWP has stipulated that each project will be awarded to a separate bidder. (May 2022)
• OPWP has awarded the 500 MW Manah Solar I and II PV to Jinko Power of China and its consortium partner Sembcorp Utilities of Singapore, and KOWEPO of South Korea and its consortium partner EDF-Renewables of France, respectively. Manah I Solar PV project shall be owned 20% by Jinko Power and 80% Sembcorp Utilities. The winning consortium will develop, own and operate the project on an IPP basis. Manah II Solar PV project will be built at an investment of 600 billion Korean won ($455.7 million). Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2023. (April 2023)
• OPWP has invited bids for the project management and supervisory consultancy services during the construction, commissioning and testing phase for its key solar PV projects - Manah I and Manah II. The deadline to submit bids is 11 June, 2023. (May 2023)
• Nama Power and Water Procurement Company of Oman (previously OPWP) has signed two agreements worth $800mn with investment consortiums for two IPPs to produce electricity using renewable energy in the wilayat of Manah in Dakhliyah. The two IPPs – Manah I and Manah II – will have a total production capacity of 1,000 MW, generated using solar photovoltaic technology. The two projects, which will include over 2mn solar panels, will be set up on an area of 14.5mn sqm. (May 2023)
• Nama PWP has extended the bids submission deadline to 3 July, 2023 for the project management and supervisory consultancy services contract during the construction, commissioning and testing phase for its key solar PV projects - Manah I and Manah II. (June 2023)
• A trio of international financial institutions has come together to provide $301.8 million in project finance towards the construction of ‘Manah-1 Solar IPP’. The project is being implemented by Wadi Noor Solar Power Company set up as a partnership of leading French developer EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Co Ltd (KOWEPO), who has signed a partnership deal for $301.8 million in project finance from three institutions: Société Générale, the Korea Eximbank, and Bank Muscat of the Sultanate of Oman. (December 2023)
• The consortium, led by EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Corporation (KOWEPO), has reached financial close on the Manah 1 – a 500-megawatt (MW) solar power plant located in the Sultanate of Oman. The financing of the project will be secured through equity and loan scheme from local and international financial institutions, such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea, European bank Société Générale and Oman Bank Muscat. (January 2024)
• Global law firm Clifford Chance had played a major advisory role for the major lenders - Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim), Société General and Bank Muscat - with regard to the 500 MW Manah Solar Project in Oman. The plant will begin commercial operation during the first quarter of 2025. Clifford Chance's team was led by Abu Dhabi partner Richard Parris, with support from a core team in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London. These included partners Mohamed Hamra-Krouha and Inaamul Laher, senior associates Greg Jehle, Georgina Roest and Paul Langley, associates Duaa Abbas and Leo Faingata’a and trainee solicitor Mehran Azzam (for Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Anne Drakeford, senior associate Tracy Poon and trainee solicitor Hannah McLellan (London). (January 2024)