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MUSCAT: The wholly government-owned Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO), a subsidiary of The Electricity Holding Company (Nama Group), is moving ahead with plans for the establishment of a pilot wind-based power project on Masirah Island off the Sultanate's eastern seaboard. The proposed 1.7 megawatt (MW) capacity project is expected to be Sultanate's first commercial wind-powered plant with an implementation timeframe that is set to precede the much-anticipated 50 MW Wind Farm project planned at Thamrait in Dhofar Governorate. The latter scheme, originally planned for launch by 2017, is being jointly implemented by RAECO and Masdar (an investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi government) at a cost of $125 million.
According to a senior RAECO executive, the Masirah Wind Power project will be developed by Gulf Renewable Energy (GRE MENA), a subsidiary of US-based Southern Energy Partners which is behind a string of renewable projects in a number of countries around the world. GRE MENA was selected by the Authority for Electricity Regulation Oman to implement the Masirah Wind Energy pilot as part of the government's efforts to reduce diesel consumption for electricity generation in areas covered by RAECO. "The Masirah pilot project will be implemented soon as part of a hybrid solution combining wind generation capacity and RAECO's existing diesel based capacity on the island," said Khalil al Mandhari, Renewable Energy Specialist at RAECO.
"The technical and financial submissions of the developer are currently under review, and the proposal is for 1.7 MW of capacity consisting of two wind turbines. These turbines are connected to RAECO's existing system on Masirah Island," Al Mandhari stated in a presentation on the company's Renewable Energy strategy at a symposium titled 'Energy Solution -- Made in Germany', held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat on Tuesday. According to the official, tenders are also due to be floated shortly for a pair of hybrid photovoltaic and diesel based power plants at two locations within RAECO's sprawling jurisdiction. The sites, said Al Mandhari, have been chosen from six locations recommended by international consultant CESI as feasible for the establishment of renewable energy capacity.
Plans drawn up by RAECO envisage photovoltaic based plants of 2-3 MW capacity operated in conjunction with diesel capacity to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply especially when renewable capacity is inadequate to meet demand, notably during the hot summer months.
"Competitive tenders will be floated very soon for these two projects after getting the necessary approvals," said Al Mandhari.
"The proposed hybrid system will help displace diesel as the primary fuel for electricity generation in these areas, as well as reduce the run-time of diesel plants, the operation and maintenance of which are far from optimal for a variety of reasons," the official stated.
Oman's maiden commercial-scale solar based venture, which came on line in Al Mazyounah in Dhofar Governorate last year, continues to perform commendably, according to the official. The 300-kilowatt capacity plant, which combines thin film and polycrystalline technologies, is helping inspire new renewable energy initiatives elsewhere around RAECO's vast jurisdiction, he said.
© Oman Daily Observer 2016
