Monday 20 / January / 2025
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said today inaugurated Manah 1 and Manah 2 solar power plants in the Wilayat of Manah in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah. The plants, which occupy an area of 14.5 million square metres, have a production capacity of 1,000 megawatts.
The two plants, which are the largest solar power plants in the Sultanate of Oman, use more than two million bifacial photovoltaic solar panels to achieve maximum productivity, and nearly 1,800 automated dry-cleaning robots. This will enhance the generation of clean electricity and avoid the use of water for sustainability purposes.
The two projects serve environmental objectives by raising the percentage of renewable energy production in Oman from 6.6 percent to 11 percent, besides cutting down the volume of carbon dioxide emissions by 1.4 million tons per annum.
Through this accomplishment, Oman takes a major step towards achieving net zero neutrality by 2050. It also contributes to the reduction of high demand for electricity by generating sufficient electricity to serve about 120,000 homes.
Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, said that the operation of the Manah 1 and Manah 2 solar energy projects constitutes a milestone in realizing the desired transition in the electricity sector. The step symbolizes a practical application of the Sultanate of Oman’s ambitious vision for clean and sustainable energy, he added.
The minister pointed out that the two projects are testimony to Oman’s ability to combine ambition and action in the fields of innovation and sustainability.
Al Aufi affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is confidently making headways towards achieving its ambitious goals and raising the percentage of renewable energy to 30 percent by 2030, then to 60-70 percent by 2040 and eventually reaching 100 percent by 2050 through an ambitious plan for a future that relies on clean and sustainable energy.
The minister reiterated that this approach consolidates the position of the Sultanate of Oman as a regional and global hub in the transition to renewable energy.
Al Aufi underscored the ministry’s commitment to pursue steps to enhance national energy security and open up new vistas for investment in the Sultanate of Oman.
For his part, Dr. Mansoor Talib Al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), stressed that the two projects are in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. He added that the projects consolidate action for the implementation of Oman’s strategic objectives for sustainable development and ensuring energy security.
Al Hinai pointed out that the Authority for Public Services Regulation plays a significant role in ensuring that renewable energy projects meet the economic and technical regulatory requirements. This is made by strenghtening corporate governance and ensuring a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of companies that compete to undertake these projects—to ensure their readiness and technical aptitude, he explained.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Salim Al Abri, CEO of Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, said that the company is committed to promoting the use of renewable energy and ensuring energy security and long-term sustainability for the Sultanate of Oman.
It is worth noting that Manah 1 and Manah 2 solar power plants stem from a partnership between the public and private sectors. Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (a subsidiary of Nama Group) is the tenderer and exclusive buyer of the two projects. Manah 1 plant was implemented in cooperation with Wadi Noor Solar Power Company, the French company EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO).
The Manah 2 plant was implemented in cooperation with Sembcorp Jinko Shine, Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries and Chinese company Jinko Power.
The start-up ceremony for the two projects, held today in Muscat, was attended by Royal Family members, ministers, undersecretaries and representatives of the developing companies.
