Muscat – Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) has announced that the first phase of the strategic ‘Rabt’ project, has been completed.

A statement issued by OETC said, ‘The first phase of the project consists of 660km 400 kV overhead lines, five main grid stations in Nahida, Barik, Suwaihat, Duqm and Mahout. The total cost of this phase is RO183mn and divided into the following five projects:

The first project entails construction of 400 kV grid stations at Barik and Suwaihat and linking them to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) network. Barik station consists of twelve 400 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 megavolt ampere for each of them. This project also involves the installation of ten 132 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, four shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works. Suwaihat station on the other hand consists of twelve 400 gas insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400-kV transformers with a capacity of 500 megavolt ampere for each of them in addition to twelve 132 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, six shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works.

The second project entails the construction of 400 kV overhead lines with a total length of 129km between Barik and Suwaihat stations and 400 kV transmission lines with a total length of 195km between Barik and Nahida stations. The project includes construction of overhead lines towers, insulators and associated construction works.

The third project involves the construction of Duqm and Mahout 400 kV stations. Duqm station consists of twelve 400 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 Megavolt Ampere each, eight 132 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, four 132/33 kV transformers with a capacity of 125 Megavolt Ampere for each of them in addition to forty-two 33 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, six shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication as well as associated construction works. Mahout Station consists of nine 400 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, two 400/33 kV transformers with a capacity of 125 Megavolt Ampere for each of them, twenty-one 33 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, three shunt reactors, control and relay panels and communication instrument in addition to associated construction works. These stations will support Tanweer network in meeting the growing demand for electricity in Duqm Special Economic Zone.

The fourth project entails the construction of 400 kV overhead lines with a total length of 191km between Suwaihat and Duqm stations and overhead lines with a total length of 152km between Duqm and Mahout stations. The project includes construction of overhead lines towers, insulators as well as associated construction works.

The fifth project involves the construction of Nahida 132/400-kV station. Nahida station consists of fourteen 400 kV gas insulated switchgear bays, two 132/400 transformers with a capacity of 500 megavolt ampere each, eight 132 kV gas insulated switchgear bays in addition to control and relay panels, communication and associated construction works. This project also involves the diversion of 400 kV transmission line linking Izki and Ibri stations through Nahida station. This station is considered as the main interconnecting point between National Grid in north of Oman and PDO electricity network.

Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Rumhi, OETC’s CEO, confirmed that the project is expected to enhance the efficiency and integration of the national electricity transmission networks. The project will also play a key role in securing the electricity network and opening up new horizons for the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar which are abundant in Al Wusta region. The project will connect isolated areas from the main system such as Haima, Duqm and Mahout with the national grid. Moreover, Rabt project will help in reducing the cost of energy produced in Duqm and Mahout using diesel due to its high cost and its negative impact on the environment.