Power lines connecting Oman to Abu Dhabi are set to be upgraded as the sultanate seeks greater regional connectivity and power export opportunities in the future, according to senior power executives in the country.
A 200kV transmission line with a capacity of 200MW currently runs between Abu Dhabi and Oman's Main Interconnected System (MIS), the power grid that covers the north of the country, but plans are in place to upgrade the capacity of the lines to 400MW, according to Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) chairman Saif al Sumry.
Speaking to Muscat Daily on the sidelines of the company's inauguration of the Seeb main grid station, Sumry explained that upgrading the link could pave the way for regional import and export of power.
He said, "The link is solidly connected at the moment. There may not be a lot of import or export due to certain technical and regulatory reasons, but there are plans.
"We do have a project from both ends to ensure that the line is upgraded to ensure we have enough flexibility to import 400MW-plus from either direction."
Although the 'project is dependent on two parties', the Omani side should be ready within 18 months, Sumry said.
The Oman Power and Water Procurement (OPWP) Company's most recent seven-year statement, released on March 31, states that the link with the UAE will help 'provide reliability benefits through the sharing of generation reserves', although it adds that no arrangements for commercial import or export of power have yet been made.
Work on the new RO1.76mn Seeb main grid station was carried out by United Engineering Projects, with Energo Project Entel acting as consultant to OETC.
Sumry added that the completion of the grid station, which has been designed to cater to the rapidly rising demand for power in the residential and commercial sectors of Seeb wilayat, is 'very important' for both economic development and minimising power disruption.
He said, "If you consider the fact that we have been a little bit behind in terms of meeting the demand, this project is very important and one of a number of projects that we are executing."
© Muscat Daily 2012
