By: Utilities Middle east

The share of solar and wind energy in Oman’s total electricity generation surged to approximately 11.5 per cent in the first five months of 2025, more than doubling from around 4.88 per cent at the end of December 2024, Zawya News Agency reported.

According to Zawya, citing data from Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP)—the sole procurer of electricity and water capacity in the Sultanate—renewable energy, primarily from solar sources, contributed 1.88 terawatt-hours (TWh) between January and May 2025. This figure approaches the total renewable output of 2.4 TWh recorded for the whole of 2024.

It was further reported that around 89,840 households were supplied with clean electricity during this period, resulting in an estimated annual emissions reduction of 617,300 tonnes, according to Nama PWP.

The expansion of renewable generation aligns with the Omani government’s long-term targets, Zawya stated, which include achieving a clean energy share of 30–40 per cent by 2030, rising to 60–70 per cent by 2040, and reaching 100 per cent by 2050.

Oman’s national grid currently includes the Dhofar I Wind Farm (50 MW), the Ibri II Solar IPP (500 MW), and the Manah 1 and Manah 2 Solar IPPs (1,000 MW combined). The Ibri III Solar IPP (500 MW), still in early development, is expected to be the next project to connect to the grid.

In the next phase of renewable energy development, Zawya noted that Oman is turning its focus to wind power. Five wind farms—located in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Duqm, Mahoot, Dhofar, and Sadah—with a combined capacity exceeding 1 gigawatt (GW), are currently under competitive tendering. Nama PWP estimates the total investment in these Independent Power Projects (IPPs) at approximately RO 450 million (around $1.2 billion), according to Zawya.

Oman is planning a series of solar IPPs totalling around 4,500 megawatts (MW) in capacity and requiring an estimated investment of $2.8 billion. At least four solar projects are expected to be implemented over the next six years.

Among these, the ‘Solar PV IPPs 2030’ is the largest, comprising one or more developments with a combined capacity of 3 GW. Zawya stated that a Request for Proposals (RfP) for this mega-project—estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion—is expected in Q1 2027, with operations set to begin in Q1 2030.

Preceding that, the ‘Solar PV IPPs 2029’ initiative involves a 1 GW project projected to enter operation by Q1 2029, with an investment of $600–800 million, Zawya added.

Other upcoming projects include a 250–300 MW solar PV plant in Sinaw, North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, and a 280 MW solar IPP in Al Kamil, South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. Each project is valued at approximately $200–250 million and scheduled to come online by Q2 2028 and Q1 2028, respectively.