Plans to offer incentives for solar power consumers

Business Sunday 18/December/2016 18:07 PM
By: Times News Service
Plans to offer incentives for solar power consumers

Muscat: Oman’s electricity regulator is in the process of revising the country’s regulatory framework for renewable energy in an attempt to set the technical specifications for roof-top solar panels. Also, the regulatory framework might include incentives for renewable energy consumers for such projects.
Regulatory framework
The Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) is now working on revising the regulatory framework to provide incentives for renewable energy consumers, and for technical specifications, Eng. Khalil Ibrahim Al Zeidi, acting manager of renewable energy at the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) told Times of Oman on the sidelines of fifth Arab-Indian Partnership Conference. He said that the work has already been started and a new policy will be ready sometime early 2017. “It will give more clarity on renewable energy policy for consumers,” added Eng. Al Zeidi.
Renewable project tenders
He added that commercial tenders for developing two renewable energy commercial projects in rural areas will be floated next year. Each project, which will be developed on an IPP model by the private sector, will have a capacity to generate 2-3 megawatt of electricity.
Oman’s first commercial renewable power project is already in operation in Al Mazyunah in Dhofar region. This was the first renewable IPP project in the country on a build, own and operate (BOO) scheme for 20 years concession period, according to BEC website.
10 per cent target
The national programme for enhancing diversification, called Tanfeedh, has set a target of 10 per cent contribution from renewable energy projects in the total power mix within ten years. The renewable energy projects are aimed at generating around 3 gigawatt – 2.5 gigawatt from solar and 0.5 gigawatt from wind plants. “A detailed plan will be submitted to the council of ministers.”