Oman has decided to invest US $2.9 billion in 13 new water and power projects that are commencing in 2012. According to the 7-Year (2011-2017) report from Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, demand for desalinated water and energy in the country is anticipated to rise at an average growth rate of approximately 9% annually till 2017.
To meet this growing demand, Oman is investing to reinforce desalinated water and power generation capacity and to increase the efficiency of the network. The country is one of the rapidly developing power and water markets in the Middle East region.
This announcement has been made at the Oman Power & Water Summit 2012 established in collaboration with the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW). The event has received official support from Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO), Electricity Holding Company (EHC), Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER), Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) and Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Water Resources (MRMWR). New and ongoing power and water projects as well as energy efficiency strategies will be discussed at the summit.
The Chairman of PAEW, H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mahrouqi stated that enhancing energy efficiency is one of the major goals of the organization. He added that through the Oman Power & Water Summit, they can learn about energy efficiency policies and strategies that are used internationally and adapt the best ones to meet their country’s requirements.
Experts from Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, National Renewable Energy Center of Spain and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will also participate at the event. The four-day summit is scheduled from May 6 to 9, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Muscat.