Oman’s Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP) has announced a shortlist of leading utility developers to spearhead the development of five major wind energy projects in Oman.
The shortlist includes Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, Japan’s Sumitomo and Itochu, France’s TotalEnergies and EDF, and UAE-based Masdar.
The projects, part of Oman’s renewable energy strategy, will be spread across key governorates and are expected to play a key role in the country’s transition towards a low-carbon future.
According to Nama PWP, the wind projects are a key milestone in Oman’s efforts to generate 30% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, a key component of Oman’s broader strategy to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Nama PWP, the exclusive procurer of power and water in the country, has been facilitating competitive tenders for renewable energy projects, particularly in the solar and wind sectors, in recent years.
In March, Nama PWP issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the five large-scale wind projects. It indicated at the time that the projects would be developed as independent power projects (IPP), requiring an estimated total investment of OMR 457 million ($1.18 billion).
The five wind energy projects will be located across Oman and are scheduled to become operational by 2027. These include:
- Jalan Bani Bu Ali Wind IPP: Situated in the South Sharqiyah Governorate, this facility is expected to have a capacity of between 91-105 megawatts (MW) and is set to become operational in the first quarter of 2027.
- Duqm Wind IPP: Located at Ras Madrakah in Duqm, this project will have a capacity ranging from 234-270 MW and is slated for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027.
- Mahoot Wind I IPP: This project will be developed in the Al Wusta Governorate, with a capacity between 342-400 MW, and is also scheduled for commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2027.
- Dhofar Wind II IPP: Situated next to the existing Dhofar Wind I IPP, this facility in Dhofar Governorate will have a capacity of 114-132 MW and is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027.
- Sadah Wind IPP: Located in Dhofar Governorate, this project will have a capacity of 81-99 MW, with an operational start date set for the fourth quarter of 2027.
The projects are set to contribute significantly to Oman’s renewable energy output and will reduce the country’s carbon emissions by over 978,000 tonnes annually, according to Nama PWP.
Nama PWP reported overwhelming interest in the five projects, with a total of 16 Statements of Qualification (SOQs) submitted for the Jalan Bani Bu Ali Wind IPP.
The other four projects, including Dhofar Wind II, Duqm, Mahoot I, and Sadah, each received 15 SOQs, reflecting strong competition among global utility developers.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, Nama PWP shortlisted several top-tier companies for each project. For the Jalan Bani Bu Ali Wind IPP, 11 developers were qualified, while 12 developers were shortlisted for each of the remaining projects.
The list of qualified applicants includes prominent names such as Acwa Power, Masdar, TotalEnergies, Sumitomo, Itochu, EDF Renouvelables, and Sembcorp, among others.
As Oman continues to push forward with its renewable energy strategy, the projects are expected to significantly contribute to reducing the country’s carbon footprint while enhancing the country’s energy security.
The move is aligned with Oman’s broader national objectives to meet growing energy demands while also fulfilling its international climate commitments.
In recent years, Oman has placed increasing emphasis on renewable energy projects as a means to diversify its energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Once operational, the projects are expected to play a key role in meeting the country’s renewable energy targets and the broader ambition to diversify its energy mix.
