The 1st solar independent power producer (IPP) project in Oman with 500 MW AC capacity has been connected to the national grid by the consortium of Saudi Arabian developer ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Alternative Energy Projects Co (AEPC).
Ibri II is the 1st such solar IPP to be launched under the country's renewable energy program and is the 'largest' utility scale renewable energy project in Oman to date.
Built for an investment of $417 million on build-own-operate (BOO) basis, the project is contracted under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).
It is designed to produce enough clean energy to cater to around 50,000 homes with the help of approximately 1.5 million bifacial solar panels that occupy a space of 13 million sq. mtr. in Ad-Dhahirah governorate.
ACWA Power said in keeping with ensuring local content for the project, it contracted 2 local startups to build mechanical installations, and offered local graduates on the job training and job opportunities. "Additionally, the project's operations and maintenance team has achieved a 100% Omanization rate," it added.
The CEO of OPWP, Yaqoob Saif Al Kiyumi said the Ibri 2 project will be a turning point for the country to launch similar projects in the field of renewable energy. There are 2 more solar power plants with combined capacity of 1 GW being developed in the Governorate of Ad Dakhiliyah, apart from wind energy facilities, shared Kiyumi.
Under its Oman 2040 Vision, the country aims to increase renewable energy production by 2030 to 20% and up to 39% by 2040. It is also encouraging more solar and wind energy facilities to build a green hydrogen supply chain in the country (see Renewables Data Collection Agreement For Oman).
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