The Sultanate is expected to issue tenders for two independent power projects this month. These include the 400 MW Barka plant with water desalination capacity of 20 million gallons (76 million litres) a day and the 240 MW Sharqiya plant. Both projects which will be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis.

The advisory consortium comprising ABN Amro (financial), Mott McDonald (technical) and Denton Hall (legal), has recommended offering strategic investors - who could link up with Omani firms - initially up to 100 per cent ownership in the power plants that have a tight construction deadline, and 65 per cent in other power assets. Sharqiya is planned to be commissioned by mid-2002 and Barka by mid-2003. Requests for project proposals need to be issued by the end of January.