Oman invites bids for two major power projects

The Oman government has issued requests for proposals for two major independent power projects in the north of the country, according to the Oman Daily Observer.

The projects, each with a capacity of 650 MW will be based at Barka and Sohar, and the bidding process will be managed on behalf of the Oman Power and Water Company (OPWP).

The newspaper indicated that total capital investment in the two developments would be above US $1 billion, and that more than 45 prospective developers had already submitted expressions of interest.

Barka III is located adjacent to two existing independent water and power projects, while Sohar II will be based within Sohar Industrial Port. Desalination capacity is not envisaged for either plant.

The OPWP has slated operating dates for both facilities in mid-2012, assuming that the preferred bidder for either project is named by early February 2010.