Muscat: The Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) has launched the first phase of its 'Interconnect' project (titled ‘Rabt), connecting the power grid from northern to southern Oman at a cost of RO 183 million.
The milestone was celebrated at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center in Muscat on December 14, under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said.
This ambitious endeavour, under the comprehensive "Rabt" initiative, represents a substantial advancement in the nation's power infrastructure. Rabt aims to enhance the reliability and security of the electricity network.
Spanning 670 kilometres over the first phase, the Rabt project included the construction of five strategically positioned grid stations at: Nahida, Suwayhat, Barik, Duqm, and Mahout. Each grid station, with varied voltage capacities, will serve as a crucial component in bolstering Oman's electricity network.
Built in stages, it included a 400-kilovolt overhead power lines, connecting Barik and Suwayhat grid stations and extending the network to Nahida over a distance of 322 kilometres. Duqm and Mahout grid stations were added with a goal of supporting the thriving industrial activities in the Duqm Economic Zone. 400kV lines extending over 349 kilometres linked Duqm to Mahout, as well as Duqm and Suwayhat. Constructed in the final stage was the Nahida Grid Station.
The "Rabt" project aligns with Oman Vision 2040, contributing to economic competitiveness, social well-being, and growth. It will improve the efficiency of services and reduce operational costs, supporting the Duqm Economic Zone and attracting global investments. Additionally, it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by replacing diesel units with gas units, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Ahmed al Mahrzi, OETC Chairman, highlighted the project's significance, emphasising its role in enhancing the efficiency and security of the national electricity transmission network. Eng Saleh al Rumhi, OETC CEO, stressed the project's strategic importance in driving development across sectors, improving public services, and attracting foreign investments.
According to Eng Masoud al Riyami, Chief Operational Officer at OETC, total investment in the Rabt project, across two phases, is estimated at RO 370 million. In the second phase, a total of three grid stations will be built, along with 550km of overhead power lines.
OETC, a member of Nama Group, manages the transmission and control of electricity across Oman's network, operating at voltages of 132kV and above.
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