Muscat – The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has launched a community solar programme aimed at expanding access to renewable energy and reducing electricity bills for beneficiaries.

Known as Imtidad, the initiative will enable households and organisations to benefit from solar power without the need to instal rooftop panels or invest in individual solar systems. The programme, launched in partnership with licensed electricity and energy companies, is part of Oman’s strategy to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the national power mix and advance sustainability goals.

The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Dr Mansour bin Talib Al Hinai, Chairman of APSR, said the programme reflects Oman’s commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive energy system while ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy reach a wider segment of society.

He described Imtidad as an innovative model that allows communities to participate directly in renewable energy projects through a framework that brings together government institutions, private investors and local stakeholders. The initiative, he said, transforms sustainability objectives into practical benefits for consumers by providing access to clean energy without requiring specialised equipment or significant upfront investment.

Under the programme, centralised solar power plants will be established and connected to the national electricity grid. The electricity generated will be supplied to the grid, while participating beneficiaries will receive credits on their monthly electricity bills based on their share of the plant’s production.

The model is designed to make solar energy more accessible by eliminating the costs associated with purchasing, installing and maintaining solar systems. It also makes use of public spaces and parking areas at government, educational, healthcare and community facilities, converting these into sites for clean energy generation.

Imtidad is built around two key pillars. The first is a government-backed model that supports the sustainability of the National Electricity Subsidy Programme by converting part of government subsidies into productive energy assets.

As part of this effort, RO5mn has been allocated to establish and operate community solar power plants with a targeted generation capacity exceeding 20MW. The benefits from these projects will be directed towards beneficiaries of the National Electricity Subsidy Programme, food security projects and other approved groups.

According to APSR, the first phase of the programme is expected to reduce electricity bills for eligible beneficiaries by up to 40%. The initiative is also expected to lower operating costs for food security projects, strengthening the long-term sustainability and production capacity of these.

The second pillar is an investment model that opens the door for private developers and investors to finance, build and operate community solar power plants. Officials said the framework is intended to demonstrate the commercial viability of community solar projects, attract private sector participation and support the growth of Oman’s renewable energy market.

As part of the launch, APSR inaugurated Imtidad 1 in Wadi Kabir, the sultanate’s first community solar power plant and the pilot project for the programme. The facility has a generation capacity of around 1.5MW and comprises nearly 2,000 solar panels.

Officials said the project will serve as a testing ground for the programme’s technical, regulatory and operational framework before similar projects are expanded across the sultanate.