The Sultanate of Oman continues its energy diversification strategy with the announcement of the pre-qualified candidates for the Ibri III solar project. The project, with a capacity of 500 MW and an estimated investment of 155 million Omani rials, is part of the government’s policy to meet the growing demand for electricity from renewable sources. Nama Power and Water Procurement Company launched the call for qualifications in January 2024, attracting numerous local and international developers.
A rigorous selection process
Nama Power and Water Procurement Company received twelve qualification bids, of which nine were either conditionally or unconditionally selected. Pre-qualified candidates come from various regions, including the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea, Singapore, France and Japan. This diversity reflects the international appeal of Oman’s renewable energy market. Qualified applicants include: Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), ACWA Power, Al Riyadh National Trading and Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO), Jinko Power, Sembcorp Utilities, TotalEnergies Renewables, EDF Renouvelables and Korean Western Power (KOWEPO), International Power S.A. (Engie) and Sumitomo Corporation.
Project Roadmap
Nama Power and Water Procurement Company is currently finalizing the Request for Proposal (RFP), which will soon be issued to pre-qualified applicants following receipt of the necessary approvals. Ibri III is the company’s fourth IPP (Independent Power Project) solar project, following Ibri II (operational since summer 2021) and the Manah I and Manah II solar projects (under construction). This project is part of the Oman 2040 vision, which aims to achieve ambitious renewable energy targets. Collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the Autorité de Régulation des Services Publics is essential to achieving these objectives. The IPP model guarantees fair and transparent competition, enabling us to select the most qualified developers to deliver world-class technological solutions.
Perspectives and Impacts
The Ibri III project will have a significant impact on Oman’s energy landscape, increasing the share of renewable energies in the national energy mix. It will also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, supporting the country’s efforts towards sustainable development. The participation of renowned international players ensures not only technical expertise but also the dissemination of global best practices in the renewable energies sector.
The Sultanate’s commitment to renewable energies is reinforced by this ambitious project. By building on the success of previous projects and integrating advanced technologies, Oman is positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energies, offering a model for other nations in the region to follow.
