1,710MW power plant commissioned in Sohar

Sohar: Shinas Generating Company (SGC) has announced the commencement of commercial operations at its power plant. The power plant (Sohar-3) generates 1,710 megawatts (MW) in net, the second largest power plant in the Sultanate. Sohar-3 is located inside the Sohar Industrial Port Area.
Eng. Abdullah bin Ali Al Nofli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SGC in an interview said, “The plant is constructed using advanced, reliable and efficient combined cycle technologies. This makes Sohar-3 one of the most efficient power plants in the Sultanate from an operational prospective. Sohar-3 operates on natural gas as primary fuel and can operate on diesel as backup fuel.”
He also said that, reputed sponsors (Mitsui, ACWA & DIDIC) have invested around US$1 billion (equivalent to OMR384 million) to complete this project.
Eng. Al Nofli further added, “SGC is committed to the society and is continuously engaged in encouraging local business and we realise that we are part of this community and its sustainability. Therefore, the company awarded more than OMR68 million of contracts to local companies. Also, more than 70 per cent of the workforce in the company operating Sohar-3, First National Operation and Maintenance Company (NOMAC) are Omani.”
SGC has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with state-owned Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP). Under the PPA, OPWP will purchase all the power produced for 15 years from the date of commercial operation of Sohar-3.
On this occasion, Eng. Yaqoob bin Saif Al Kiyoumi, CEO of Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) said: “This project is an extension of the fruitful partnership between the public and private sectors in the field of electricity generation, which dates back more than two decades. This partnership has led to an increase in the efficiency of energy generation in the Sultanate.”
The project will also play an active role in meeting the increasing demand for electricity under urban expansion and projects, which are implemented in different sectors in the Sultanate
Alongside its state-of-the-art technology, Sohar 3 is connected to a newly constructed 400KV electricity transmission network and to Main Interconnected System (MIS) to boost commercial and industrial growth.
“Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) has committed to building a 400 KV transmission network to connect the plant to the existing grid in the North Al Batinah where a number of 400 KV stations have been constructed in Sohar, as well as 400 KV overhead and underground transmission lines. Thankfully, these projects were completed successfully to enable Sohar Power Plant (Phase III) to transmit the new electricity capacity into the main grid before the start of the peak demand season during of the summer of 2019”, Eng. Ali bin Said Al Hadabi, CEO of OETC said.
Eng. Abdullah Al-Nofli said, “On behalf of the promoters, I would like to thank our partners on the successful commencement of the plant’s commercial operations namely, the Authority for Electricity Regulation, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman Electricity Transmission Company, Oman Gas Company, Sohar Industrial Port Company, and Majis Industrial Services Company.”