Monday 06 / May / 2024
Muscat: Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) signed several agreements worth OMR183 million to connect Oman's north and south electricity transmission networks.
OETC, a member of Nama Group, signed the pacts for the implementation of the first phase of 'Rabt' project that aims to connect the National Grid in the north with Petroleum Development of Oman Company (PDO) electricity transmission network and Tanweer network in Al Wusta region in addition to Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad) electricity network in the Wilayat of Duqm.
This is in-line with QETC's efforts to enhance the energy infrastructure in the Sultanate, contribute to the diversification of the national economy, reduce the consumption of fossil fuels (gas and diesel) and the reduction of Ozone-depleting gas emissions.
The agreements were signed by Eng. Masoud bin Salam Al Riyami Acting Chief Executive of OETC in the presence of Eng. Omar bin Khalfan Al Wahaibi Chief Executive of Nama Group at OETC headquarters with the representatives of the awarded contractors from a group of engineering companies specialised in building electricity transmission networks.
The project is expected to enhance the efficiency and integration of national electricity transmission networks. The project will also play a key role in securing the electricity network and opening up new horizons for the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar which are abundant in the Al Wusta region.
The project will connect isolated areas from the main system such as Haima, Duqm and Mahoot with the national grid. It will also connect the national grid with PDO network thus enhancing the reliability of PDO network as it is currently based on 132 kV voltage. The project will help to minimise the use of gas in electricity generation in PDO electricity network as the electricity generation stations in the National Grid are relatively new and highly efficient. Moreover, “Rabit” project will help in reducing the cost of energy produced in Duqm and Mahoot using diesel due to its high cost and its negative impact on the environment.
In-line with the government drive to switch to renewable energy, this project will play a key role in achieving the government ambitions of producing 15 per cent of the total energy from renewable energy sources by 2025 by connecting the future solar energy stations and wind farms in Al Wusta region. Rabt project will also provide secure, stable and reliable electricity to Special Economic Zone in Duqm as it will connect the Duqm Electricity network with the 400 kV National Grid, ensuring that the factories and large companies in Duqm are provided with their needs of electricity which will further help to attract more investors to the Area, provide more employment opportunities and help to grow the national economy.
The first phase of the project consists of 660km 400kV overhead lines, five main grid stations in Nuhaida, Barik, Suwaihat, Duqm and Mahout. The total cost of this phase is OMR183 million and divided into the following five projects.
The first project entails Construction of 400 kV grid stations at Barik and Suwaihat and linking them to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) network. Barik station consists of twelve 400 kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 Megavolt Ampere for each of them. This project also involves the installation of ten 132 kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, four shunt reactors, Control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works. Suwaihat Station, on the other hand, consists of twelve 400 gas-insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 kV transformers with a capacity of 500 Megavolt Ampere for each of them in addition to twelve 132 kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, six shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works. The total cost of this part of Rabt project is around OMR39 million and will be implemented over 24 months with 6 weeks period for mobilisation.
The second project entails the construction of 400 kV overhead lines with a total length of 129 KM between Barik and Suwaihat stations and 400 kV transmission lines with a total length of 195 KM between Barik and Nuhaida stations. The project includes the construction of overhead lines towers, insulators and associated construction works. The cost of this part of Rabt project is OMR45 million and will be implemented over 28 months in addition to 6 weeks for mobilisation.
The third project involves the construction of Duqm and Mahoot 400 kV stations. Duqm station consists of twelve 400 kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 Megavolt Ampere each, eight 132kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, four 132/33 kV transformers with a capacity of 125 Megavolt Ampere for each of them in addition to 42 33kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, six shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication as well as associated construction works. Mahout Station consists of nine 400 kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, two 400/33 kV transformers with a capacity of 125 Megavolt Ampere for each of them, 21 33kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, three shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works. These stations will support Tanweer network in meeting the growing demand for electricity in Duqm Special Economic Zone. The total cost of this part of Rabt project is OMR38 million and will be implemented over 24 months in addition to 6 weeks for mobilisation.
The fourth project entails the construction of 400 kV overhead lines with a total length of 191km between Suwaihat and Duqm stations and overhead lines with a total length of 152km between Duqm and Mahoot stations. The project includes the construction of overhead lines towers, insulators as well as associated construction works. The cost of this part of Rabt project is OMR45 million and will be implemented over 28 months in addition to 6 weeks for mobilisation.
The last project involves the construction of Nuhaida 132/400 kV station. Nuhaida station consists of fourteen 400kV gas-insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 Megavolt Ampere each, eight 132kV gas-insulated switchgear bays in addition to control and relay panels, communication and associated construction work. This project also involves the diversion of 400 kV transmission line linking Izki and Ibri stations through Nuhaida station. This station is considered as the main interconnecting point between National Grid in the north of Oman and PDO electricity network. The total cost of this part of Rabt project is OMR17 million approximately and will be implemented over 24 months in addition to 6 weeks for mobilisation.
