The Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) plans to connect around 2.66 GW of new solar and wind projects to the grid by 2027 to cover the sultanate's growing electricity consumption.
In its 7-year statement for 2021-2027, OPWP said it will realize two solar projects, each with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts, in northern Oman's Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate. The Manah Phase I Solar and Manah Phase II Solar IPPs are expected to be in commercial operation in the second and third quarters of 2024, respectively.
Oman has built its first large-scale solar park, the 500 MW Ibri II IPP, in Ad Dhahirah Governorate and has connected it to the grid. According to OPWP's plan, another solar project, MIS solar IPP 2025, will be built with a power generation capacity of 500 MW and the site for the construction of this park is currently under consideration. A fifth solar photovoltaic (PV) project of about 600 MW could be developed in the Al Wusta region.
Its trial run is scheduled for 2027. In addition, a feasibility study will be carried out to develop a concentrating solar power (CSP) project that may be located near Duqm. OPWP's wind expansion strategy includes several large-scale projects. A 100-megawatt wind power project will be developed at Jalaan Bani Bu Ali in Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate in the Duqm region and is scheduled to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2025.
The Dhofar region offers good conditions for wind power generation and OPWP plans to develop another 100 MW wind power project next to the existing 49.4 MW Dhofar I wind farm, the first wind power plant in Oman to be connected to the grid. The Dhofar II wind power IPP should be in commercial operation in 2026.
Two other wind power projects will add approximately 360MW of generating capacity to the Ad Duqm power system. The Duqm wind farm with a planned capacity of 200 MW is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2025, while the Duqm II wind farm of at least 160 MW is expected to start operation in 2027. The state-owned company noted that planned solar and wind projects are expected to account for around 13% of total electricity generation by 2025. It is expected to further increase to 20% by 2027.