Power and desalinated water demand across Oman is expected to reach 7,271MW and 304mn cu m, respectively, by 2018, according to the latest Seven Year Statement released by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) on Saturday.
The statement, which covers demand and supply across both sectors from 2012-18, shows that demand for power in the Main Interconnected System (MIS), which covers the north of the country, will grow at eight per cent per year from 3,845MW in 2011 to 6,582MW in 2018. Demand in Salalah will rise ten per cent per year from 348MW to 689MW over the same period.
Water demand across the sultanate, excluding Salalah, will rise five per cent
each year from 196mn cu m in 2011 to 269mn cu m in 2018. Demand in Salalah is projected to grow six per cent each year to 35mn cu m in 2018.
To help cover the demand for power, a number of projects are under construction including the Sur independent power project, the Salalah independent water and power project, and the Barka 3 and Sohar 2 facilities.
The statement adds that the planned 200MW solar facility is also expected to be operational and contributing to the country's MIS power grid by 2016.
The OPWP statement adds that 'internal capabilities' were developed in 2011 to support longer-term planning, which include increased regional interconnectivity and nuclear power.
"OPWP plans to continue developing a long-term strategy with regards to fuel diversity and security and the roles of renewables, nuclear power and regional interconnects," it said.
© Muscat Daily 2012
