Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP) is set to ink new power purchase agreements with Oman’s listed power generation companies – Al Suwadi, Al Batinah and Phoenix Power – for three gas-fired independent power plants (IPPs)with a combined 3,500 MW capacity.

All the three firms have secured new PPAs that will extend the operational lives of the power plants for another 15 years upon the expiry of their current contracts with Nama PWP, the single buyer and procurer of electricity and desalinated water capacity.

Phoenix Power, backed by Axia Power as the anchor investor, operates one of Oman’s largest gas-fired IPPs with a 2,000 MW capacity, in Sur, while Al Suwadi and Al Batinah, both backed by French energy giant Engie, each operate a 750 MW plant in Barka and Suhar respectively.  The new contracts are slated to run until March 31, 2043.

In another development, one of Nama PWP’s key subsidiaries, Nama Dhofar Services, floated tenders last month (March) for the construction of Al Houtah desalination plant in the sultanate’s Rakhyut province.

The project also involves associated works such as building of transmission pipeline, booster stations and tanks in addition to setting up a distribution network.

A major desalination project for the region, the Al Houtah plant is being implemented under the build-own-transfer (BOT) model. For the winning bidder, the scope of work includes execution, funding as well as provision of operation and maintenance services. The deadline for submitting the bids has been set at May 18.