Oman mulls three bids for first large-scale solar project.

Three bids have been submitted to develop Oman's first large-scale solar power project, according to the Oman Power and Water Procurement company (OPWP).

The utility said that three international consortia have bid on the 500MW solar tender it launched in January.

The OPWP said one comprises UAE-based Masdar with Total Solar and Chinese module manufacturer Jinko.

A second alliance consists of Saudi-based company ACWA Power and Kuwaiti companies Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Alternative Energy Projects Co (AEPC) while the third is formed by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation with the Oman Gas Company (OGC), Qatar-based Nebras Power, and Oman's Bahwan Renewable Energy Company.

“The evaluation of bids is currently under way and OPWP expects to finalise the award by early next year,” said OPWP in a statement.

It added that the solar project is planned to achieve commercial operation by June 2021.

Oman is planning to tender and build further solar plants up to 2024. A tender for another 500MW solar project was launched in October.

All projects are part of the Omani government’s plan to add around 4GW of renewable generation capacity by 2030.

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