Key advantages: North-South Interconnector project to unlock significant benefits for national economy and sustainability
The first phase of a landmark initiative to interconnect the Main Interconnected System (MIS) – a grid serving much of the northern half of the Sultanate of Oman – with the Dhofar Grid covering the southern part of the country, is due to come into operation next year.
The so-called North-South Interconnector project, also known as ‘Rabt’, will lead to the creation of a unified National Electricity Grid, which is due for completion by 2026 at a total cost of RO 372 million.
In a post on Sunday, the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit – which played an instrumental role in bringing the respective stakeholders together in the expeditious implementation of the undertaking – hailed the initiative as a “national strategic project” that will integrate the different, standalone electricity systems into one national grid.
Playing an important role in the delivery of the project is Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), part of Nama Group, which in October 2020 had signed agreements totaling RO 183 million for the implementation of Phase 1 of the interconnection project.
It covers the construction of around 660km of 400kV overhead transmission lines that will eventually connect the Main Interconnected System (MIS) with the isolated networks of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and the Rural Areas Electricity Company (Tanweer) in Duqm.
This phase, slated for launch in 2023, also result in the inclusion of Haima and Mahout in Al Wusta Governorate into the future national grid. Additionally, it will help strengthen electricity supply to PDO areas, currently served by a 132kV network, as well as reduce the energy company’s dependence on gas-fired power generation for its electricity needs.
Crucially, interconnection will pave the way for vast areas of Al Wusta Governorate, which are deemed optimal for solar and wind power projects, to be developed as part of the country’s future green energy ambitions.
A further 502km of 400kV transmission lines will be constructed as part of Phase 2 of the North South Interconnected project. Running south from the Duqm grid all the way to Dhofar, this final section is on track for completion in 2026.
Besides strengthening the efficiency of electricity transmission, the Rabt project will contribute to reduced energy generation costs, savings in greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced energy security, the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit added.
