Utilities
From The Report: Oman 2018
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The utilities industry in Oman is going through a transitional period in anticipation of major restructuring and renewal in the water and electricity segments. While large-scale retail competition in electricity is not yet feasible, changes in technology, such as the introduction of cost-reflective tariffs (CRT), are making distributed provision more cost-effective. The most significant development in the electricity sphere is the planned introduction of a spot market to allow generators without long-term contracts to sell power on a half-hourly basis at a market-clearing price. Meanwhile, in terms of water provision, the sultanate’s procurement agency has worked hard to bring considerable new capacity on-line across Oman’s five water zones to address supply shortages during peak demand periods in 2017, particularly in the Muscat region. Oman is also on the verge of a major shift towards renewable energy as the government rolls out regulations and projects to harness power supply from solar plants and wind farms. This chapter contains an interview with Tariq Ali Al Amri, CEO, be’ah; and Omar Al Wahaibi, CEO, Nama Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Take charge: Utilities authorities seek to improve electricity and water management while bolstering renewable energy generation
OBG
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The utilities industry in Oman is going through a transitional period in anticipation of major restructuring and renewal plans in the water and electricity sectors. While large-scale retail competition in electricity is not yet feasible, changes in technology – like the introduction of cost-reflective tariffs (CRT) – are making distributed provision more cost-effective. The most significant development in the electricity sector is the planned introduction of a spot market to allow generators…

Interview

Going green: Tariq Ali Al Amri, CEO, be’ah, on sustainable waste management
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Interview:Tariq Ali Al Amri How can waste become economically productive? TARIQ ALI AL AMRI: The global drive and increased demand for renewable energy paves the way for waste to be an economically efficient source of energy. Oman is no different: the government has put great emphasis on the use of renewable power in coming years. Therefore, we looked at some innovative options, and following the completion of feasibility studies, we could use wasteto-energy technology to run desalination…

Analysis

A new approach: Privatisation of municipal waste management nears completion
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The Oman Environmental Services Holding Company – known as be’ah – is close to completing the transfer of waste management operations to international operators in each of its 11 governorates. The move is part of a waste management plan to modernise and restructure the handling, treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW), expanding Oman’s recycling capacity and waste-based energy generation. Companies that have been awarded contracts include Spain’s Urbaser, currently…

Analysis

A bright future: High solar insolation levels put Oman’s renewable energy goals within reach
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Solar power generation in Oman is growing in prominence, driven by rising efficiencies, the falling cost of photovoltaic cells and lower oil revenue since 2014 Keen to reduce government expenditures and commit a greater share of oil and gas resources to more profitable purposes than feedstock for electricity production, Oman’s official objective is to reach 10% of consumed energy from renewables by 2030, at which point it aims to have added between 3-4 GW of renewable generation capacity. The…

Analysis

Powered up: Grid improvements to save fuel and increase security
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Oman’s electricity networks underwent a major renewal in 2017, with the aim of strengthening transmission infrastructure, enhancing reliability and achieving fuel savings. Interconnectivity is playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping procurement strategies and guiding industry development. UAEInterconnect Project At a regional level, the phenomenon of interconnectivity is not new to Oman. A 220-KV interconnection between Oman’s Main Interconnected System and Abu Dhabi’s…

Interview

Prudent practices: Omar Al Wahaibi, CEO, Nama Group, on developing sensible consumer habits and improving the sector’s performance
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Interview:Omar Al Wahaibi What needs to be done to reduce energy loss and improve efficient consumption? OMAR AL WAHAIBI: Oman’s sole procurer of electricity, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), a member of Nama Group, ensures that the most efficient and suitable generation technology is utilised. This is encouraged and supported by the provisions of the Law for the Regulation and Privatisation of the Electricity and Related Water Sector 2004 (Sector Law), which mandates that OPWP must procure energy on the most economic basis. Combined-cycle gas turbines certainly play a prominent role in the sultanate’s current generation…