Announced in October, 2020, the government’s Rabt programme is designed to support economic growth and national energy security through the modernisation of Oman’s power system, integrating the north and south sections of the grid and upgrading its capabilities. In addition to sustainable nationwide energy supply and connectivity, the sultanate is working to connect its grid with the GCC Interconnection Authority’s (GCCIA) network.
The government’s overarching economic development blueprint, Oman Vision 2040, sets the target of total installed renewable energy capacity to account for 30% of total power capacity by 2030 as part of a broader economic and industrial diversification drive. The unification of the national grid and the integration of advanced technologies into power generation, transmission and supply methods are essential to support those goals. The implementation of a modern sustainable power system should help the sultanate attract private and foreign finance into the country’s special economic zones, while also enhancing public service provision, both of which are core goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Comprehensive Integration
Oman’s electricity transmission system was previously divided between the Main Interconnected System (MIS), which covers the country’s north and the Dhofar Power System (DPS) in the south, while the northern exclave of Musandam and other remote regions were covered by the Rural Areas Electricity Company – later branded Tanweer, and now known as Nama Generating Company – which has now been integrated into the National Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC). Meanwhile, Al Wusta in the south and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) operations ran on isolated networks, with the latter utilising both the north and south power grids.
The initial phase of the Rabt project involved extending the reach of 400 KV of transmission infrastructure throughout the northern power grid, in addition to the first interconnection of the northern and southern portions of the grid. This phase was completed in November 2023, with the MIS stretching from Nihada in the north to Duqm on the coast. Prior to the initiation of the project, the MIS could operate at voltages of 132 KV, 220 KV and 400 KV, and comprised 81 grid stations, while the DPS operated only at 132 KV and comprised eight grid stations. Between 2009 and 2019 peak demand on the MIS increased by 284% to reach 6335 MW and by 318% to 567MW on the DPS – demonstrating the need for the Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), as owner and operator of the sultanate’s main transmission network, to invest in grid integration, enhancement and optimisation.
Implementation of a 400-KV transmission framework across Oman began in 2018, when the 2000-MW Sur power plant was connected to the MIS through 400-KV transmission infrastructure. This involved connecting the plant with the upgraded 400-KV Izki grid substation through 400-KV transmission lines. The Sohar Free Zone was also among the first areas connected through 400-KV transmission capabilities. The zone, together with Sohar Port, is a vital component in the government’s drive to draw investment into light and heavy industrial expansion and logistics activities. Load flow studies conducted at the design stage highlighted some challenges, such as the potential for off-peak voltage levels at substations exceeding recommended levels due to the high reactive power generated by 400-KV transmission lines. From a range of mitigation options, OETC opted to install 400-KV shunt reactors at the Sur power plant and the Izki substation, reducing reactive power output.
Infrastructure & Challenges
The first phase of the Rabt project comprised the construction of five advanced grid stations – one each in Barik, Duqm, Mahout, Nahida and Suwayhat – to be interconnected connected via 670 km of 400 KV overhead lines, with the Al Wusta system and portions of the PDO network connected to the MIS. The new grid stations were equipped with 500-MVA-capacity transformers. Oman’s topography comprises mountains, plateaus and significant expanses of desert, each of which posed unique challenges to contractors and construction firms. Nevertheless, it is that varied terrain and the accompanying diversity of climatic conditions, namely strong night-time winds and high solar density, that have positioned Oman as a key player in regional renewable energy production.
Another benefit of the installation of advanced transmission infrastructure is that it opens large expanses of Oman’s remote regions for renewable energy investment. Since Rabt’s launch, Al Wusta, home to the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), has seen significant investment in green hydrogen and renewable energy from multinational energy operators. SEZAD is vital to the government’s bid to cultivate new industries and value chains and itself has seen major global investment in green hydrogen, ammonia and steel production (see Energy chapter).
OETC’s August 2023 launch of the 400/132-KV Suwayhat grid station was a significant milestone in the first phase of the Rabt project, effectively providing the conduit that links the MIS, Al-Wusta system and the PDO network via the Duqm substation. The project is expected to spur job creation in the region and improve residents’ quality of life. The Mahout grid station development was also crucial as it enabled the commencement of work to connect Masirah Island to the MIS through both submarine and overhead cables. The island has been earmarked for development, with a multi-purpose port planned, along with industrial and tourism projects, with the provision of modern transmission systems and reliable electricity supply integral to those initiatives.
The project to lay the 35-km subsea cable is a landmark initiative for Oman, as it is the first of its kind in the sultanate, possesses advanced technological capabilities and the new infrastructure will enable OETC to supply Masirah with natural gas-powered electricity – replacing the island’s use of diesel-powered electricity, thereby contributing to the country’s carbon-reduction initiatives. OETC launched the tender for the project in September 2023, which was awarded to Omani firm Bahwan Engineering Company and Chinese firm Hengtong in the third quarter of 2024. As of February 2025 more than 10% of the OR72m ($187m) project was completed and it is expected to be finalised by the end of 2026.
Sustainability
The Rabt project is expected to result in the closure of 14 diesel-fired electricity plants in Oman and save up to 175m litres of diesel annually, which will in turn see a reduction of 474,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, in addition to cost savings of around OR65m ($169m). Over the medium term, diesel-fired electricity is to be replaced primarily by natural gas-fired plants, although renewable energy-fired production is already being prioritised in line with Oman’s carbon-neutral targets. According to OETC, the use of wind and solar-powered electricity reduced greenhouse gas emissions by close to 4% in 2023, which equates to 778,000 tonnes.
Investment in the second phase of the Rabt project has been gathering pace, with the project officially signed off in March 2024, when deals valued at more than OR322m ($837m) were confirmed. This phase involves the installation of a switching station in the Shaleem area, three new 400-KV grid stations in Dhofar and more than 550 km of overhead lines, not only connecting the DPS with the MIS, but also significantly expanding Dhofar’s transmission networks. Once complete in 2027, the project will be a landmark achievement in Oman’s sustainable energy transition, laying the foundation for accelerated economic growth and diversification.
Global Connectivity
The GCCIA oversees operation of the GCC-wide power grid. The regional grid comprises a backbone of seven 400-KV substations and networks of overhead lines and subsea cables spread throughout the region. As the only GCC country not directly connected to the regional grid as of March 2025, Oman’s involvement comes via linkage with the UAE grid. Through its existing indirect connection, Oman exported 93,000 MWh and imported over 85,000 MWh to and from the GCCIA grid in 2023.
Work is under way to connect the sultanate to the regional grid by linking Oman’s 400-KV Ibri independent power project via a new GCCIA substation in Ibri and 528 km of overhead lines to the GCCIA Silaa substation in Abu Dhabi. The potential benefits of regional interconnectivity include the option of spinning reserve capacities, opportunities for renewable energy generation and integration, and capital and operational expenditure savings of $200m-300m per year for member countries. The project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026.
