Oman To Issue 2 GW Of Solar Tenders

• OPWP has revealed in its strategic seven year plan that it plans to issue more solar power tenders with 500 MW capacity
• Future tenders may be larger than 500 MW capacity, depending on OPWP's market assessment
• Three more tenders may be issued with commissioning scheduled for 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively
• Request for qualification will be issued in Q4/2018 for the second tender, while the results of the first are not yet out

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) plans to roll out more solar power tenders in the future. These could be larger than the 500 MW capacity tender it launched in December 2017 (see RFQ For 500 MW PV Plant In Oman). The size will depend on OPWP's market assessment. The government agency has provided some details about the future roadmap of such tenders in its latest seven-year statement for 2018-2024.

For the first 500 MW PV plant tender issued by OPWP last December, 12 big names have made the cut including five consortiums and six individual companies (see Oman Shortlists 12 Bidders in 500 MW Tender). This capacity will be located in Ibri, near Muscat and is scheduled for completion by 2021.

Three more tenders are now expected from OPWP with commissioning planned for 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Overall, by 2025, it wants to procure at least 2 GW of solar power capacity.

"OPWP plans that solar energy development will occur at multiple sites, and some tenders may involve multiple developer awards. OPWP has a process underway for site allocation and transmission access, with the full support of the relevant Government agencies," read the statement.

Request for pre-qualification for the second tender is expected to commence in Q4/2018, subject to confirmation of site access from the Ministry of Housing.