Dhofar Power enhances substations, electricity network

17/04/2017 07:04 AST

Dhofar Power Company (DPC) has announced a series of expansion projects that aim to enhance network and electricity distribution capabilities. Several primary substation projects are currently underway in AlSaada II, Sahalnoot II and Raysut Industrial Estate-II and Khour Al Qurum, in addition to an upgrade of the existing Jufa-Sadah primary substation. The projects form part of a wider strategy to meet demand for reliable electricity and to improve services for customers, according to a company release.

"We are pleased to report steady progress on several expansion projects currently underway. Enhancing network capacity to better serve our customers is a key focus at present. We currently service over 100,000 customers across both high and low density load areas in addition to major industrial clients. In 2016, DPC invested a total of OMR22 million in projects to enhance the distribution system and expected to invest OMR19 million to execute the planned projects in 2017," said Eng Ali IssaShamas, chief executive officer of DPC.

"We are in the process of constructing substations in the emerging areas of Al Saada, Sahalnoot, Raysut Industrial Estate, Awqad and North Awqad to ensure availability of electricity infrastructure for the industrial and residential developments under-progress in these areas. We are also upgrading the existing Jufa-Sadah primary substation in order to meet the growing electricity demand and we are in the process of awarding contracts for two new primary substations in Jarziz and New Salalah, also as a result of the significant growth of these areas. These developments will serve to increase our electricity distribution capacity and meet demand of these fast-growing residential, commercial, touristic and industrial areas," added Eng. Omar Al Awady, DPC Senior Manager of Asset Management, Strategic Planning and Projects.

In addition to these major projects, DPC also introduced a unit rate contract, based on fixed-rate prices for network extension projects for customers. According to the company, the move will serve to expedite the customer connection process and will lead to network infrastructure usability within a shorter period of time.

Times of Oman