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) schemes in Manah.
Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) had expected to issue the request for proposals (RFP) for Manah 1 and 2, which will be developed under the independent power producer (IPP) model in the first quarter.
However, the tender has not been issued so far.
The Manah 1 and 2 solar PV projects, previously named solar IPP 2022 and 2023 respectively, will have a capacity of 500MW-600MW each. The schemes will be developed at Manah, which is located 150km southwest of the capital Muscat.
Indian-based Synergy Consulting is the financial adviser for Manah 1 and 2. The UK’s DLA Piper and Germany’s Fichtner are providing technical and legal advisory services respectively.
Oman is targeting for renewables to contribute between 10% and 16% of the sultanate’s generation capacity in the main interconnected system (MIS) by 2025, which will total to approximately 2,800MW.
The first 500MW is due to come online in 2022.
