Utilities
From The Report: Oman 2014
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The country’s water and power sectors have undergone a steady liberalisation process since legislation outlining privatisation was passed in 2004, and this has generally been considered as a success. As one of the most open in the region to foreign investment and private ownership of assets, Oman’s utilities sector is expanding strongly to meet growing demand for power and water. There are some major schemes in the pipeline at various stages of planning and construction. Opportunities for generation continue, and more may also open up in the downstream power sector if the government pushes ahead with liberalisation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The fruits of liberalisation: A decade has passed since the generation sector was opened
OBG
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One of the most open in the region to foreign investment and private ownership of assets, Oman’s utilities sector is expanding to meet growing demand for power and water. Independent water and power plants (IWPPs) and independent power plants (IPPs) are flourishing under the sultanate’s investor-friendly Sector Law, enjoying healthy profits from favourable financial terms and the expansion of the market. Liberalisation and unbundling has been to Oman’s benefit, and may continue in the future.…

Analysis

The 10 percent: Demand growth is causing new challenges for power companies
OBG
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Electricity use, driven by a growing population and a diversifying economy, is expected to grow by almost 10% annually for the rest of the decade. Peak demand in summer is around twice that of winter, meaning that quite a lot of capacity idles for part of the year while surges in usage cause shortages at other times. The outlook suggests continued growth of consumption and possible shifts to a heavier industrial demand profile. Numbers Up Rising demand can be gauged from the increase in registered…

Analysis

The freedom to supply: Independence is a key feature of power and water projects
OBG
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A regional leader in the liberalisation and privatisation of its power and water utilities, Oman promotes 100% non-government ownership of generation assets. Its independent power, water, and water and power plants (IPPs, IWPs and IWPPs) are models for private investment and have brought in foreign players with the technology and capital to develop the modern utilities needed to meet rapidly rising power and water demand. Beginnings Privatisation dates back to 1994 when development started on the…