MUSCAT -- Sultanate of Oman's renewable energy initiatives are internationally lauded for it is taking meticulous steps ahead exploring ways to converting solar and wind power into reliable energy sources which can replace the traditional ones and the initiative is gaining momentum.
Dr Sarah Hestad (pictured), a United States licensed attorney and an active environmentalist hailed the mammoth steps that the country has taken forward at a meeting on "How Green is Oman" organised by the MABC (Muscat American Business Council) held in Muscat recently. "In terms of renewable energy initiatives, the Sultanate has gone far ahead.
The Public Authority for Electricity and Water has already conducted a feasibility study way back in October 2009, to include review of existing technology, evaluation of benefits of combining traditional power generation and desalination at a solar facility, benefits of integrating traditional power generation and solar power and has, in co-ordination with OPWP, OETC, and the Ministry of Housing, identified appropriate locations for the solar power plant", Sara told the Observer.
Steps are in place in the country to develop the first large scale solar power plant locally whose capacity will range between 50 and 200 MW.
A comprehensive feasibility study has been awarded by the Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) and is currently under way. The AER Pilot Project aims mainly on small scale projects in rural and remote areas.
It will be totally focused on wind and solar energy besides addressing resource intermittency and reducing fossil fuel use. The project will also focus on providing information on solar intensity, wind speed consistency, and turbulence to the public.
"The Authority has published a study on renewable energy potential highlighting wind and solar opportunities and has invited companies to submit proposals for renewable energy projects besides having the international consultants evaluating the proposals for economic and technical feasibility", Sarah, a US attorney who has previously spent nearly three years working as a lawyer at an international law firm in Oman representing a variety of environmental and engineering companies, said.
"As a result of all these, the RFP (Request for Proposals) for the plant should be issued before June 2010, and the contract will be on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) basis and depending on which technology is selected, it should be completed in 2 or 3 years time", Sarah, a qualified environmental engineer in the United States and Latin America, disclosed.
By Kabeer Yousuf
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
