Agreement signed for the largest utility scale solar project in Oman

A consortium composed of ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC), and Alternative Energy Projects Co. (AEPCo) has signed the project agreements for the development of 500 MW Ibri-2 Independent Power Producer (IPP) with the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).

The project, to be developed on a BOO (build, own, operate) basis, includes the development, finance, construction, and operation of the 500 MWac solar PV power plant. The project will be located in Ibri, around 300km west of Muscat, and will contribute towards increasing power supplies in the Sultanate.

OPWP awarded the project to the winning consortium following an international competitive tendering process that included 12 qualified bidders. The winning consortium submitted the best economic tariff for the electricity that will be sold to OPWP. ACWA Power is the lead investor in the project with a 50 per cent stake, whereas GIC will have a 40 per cent stake and AEPC will control the remaining 10 per cent.

The project will be the first utility-scale solar power project in Oman and will utilize Solar PV technology to yield 500MWac of power. The innovative design of the plant will ensure the highest efficiency, reliability and availability standards for any comparable plant in the world. At peak generation capacity, the plant output will be enough to supply an estimated 33,000 homes with electricity and will offset 340,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

The project will require an investment of USD 400 million and it is expected to be commercially operational by June 2021.