Energy, water meet discusses long-term strategy

21/05/2015 00:56 AST

Dr Rasheed bin al Safi al Huraibi, Chairman of the Tender Board, opened the first Oman Energy & Water Exhibition & Conference (OEWEC) the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. The three-day event comes as part of the Sultanate’s constant efforts to provide power to meet needs of the various infrastructure projects. Mohamed bin Abdullah al Mahrouqi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Electricity & Water (PAEW) delivered his welcome address to VIPs consisting of high-level officials from the government, executives of power and water companies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, SABCO Group executives and delegates representing the private and public sectors. Omanexpo, in cooperation with the PAEW, tried to bring in high-level local and international speakers to present Oman’s Master Plan 2040 for the power and water sectors.

Speakers discussed the national energy strategy for the electricity sector, which centres on energy efficiency and conservation, linking the development of policies and action plan to renewable energy and sustainable development. They will also address the recurrence of water shortage and the contingency measures to resolve this issue. The meeting discussed development of the sectors’ infrastructure and five-year operational plan, and the current development projects that will play a key role in meeting surging demand.

There is a significant number of multi-billion dollar major independent power plants (IPPs) and independent water and power plants (IWPPs) being rolled out and in the pipeline. This includes the $ 1.6 billion Sur Independent Power Plant Project, Oman’s largest power project, the Wadi Dayqah Water Treatment Project, the Salalah 2 Independent Power Plant, the Qurayat Desalination Plant Project, the Barka Desalination Extension Project, and Al Ghubrah Seawater Desalination Project, among others.

Close to 70 local and international power and water companies from the Sultanate, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Jordan, Iran, Italy and the UAE showcased the newest products and services in the market. OEWEC is an international event dedicated to the power generation, renewable and alternative energy and transmission and distribution, and water-related industries. It is designed to be a platform for stakeholders to discuss real issues and solutions to the energy and water challenges and opportunities in the Sultanate.

Oman Daily Observer