Highlights
- HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said unveils the 500-megawatt (MW) Manah 1 Independent Power Project (IPP), ready to supply clean, carbon-free electricity to the Omani national grid
- The Omani solar power plant will power over 60,000 homes and help avoid over 780,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year
- Over 1 million bi-facial solar panels installed on single-axis trackers, maximising generation
France's EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Co Ltd (KOWEPO) shareholders of Wadi Noor Solar Power Company SAOC [MANAH 1]; together with the procurer Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (NAMA PWP) have launched Oman's largest solar power plant Manah I during an official ceremony.
The 500 MW Manah 1 Solar PV project was inaugurated by HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, and in the presence of number of senior officials from the government of Sultanate of Oman and representatives from the developers.
Located 170 kilometers North from Muscat city, in the Ad Dhakiliyah governorate, the landmark Manah 1 solar power plant has a contracted generation capacity of 500 MW. The mega solar park is built to generate enough electricity to power over 60,000 Omani households, avoiding 780,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, thus strengthening the energy security and sustainability in the Sultanate of Oman.
Manah 1 (Wadi Noor Solar Power Company SAOC) has two shareholders with 50% stake each: the leading French developer EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Co Ltd (KOWEPO). The plant is a benchmark for the Oman solar market deploying 1 million state-of-the-art bifacial PV modules mounted on a single axis tracker system, ensuring sunlight is captured on both sides of the panels, and following the solar path to maximizes yield. Moreover, the plant covers a total area of 7.8 square kilometers and uses automated dry-cleaning robots, enhancing the clean electricity generation, and avoiding the use of water for sustainability purposes.
The electricity demand in the Main Interconnected System (MIS) of Oman grew at an average annual rate of 2.7% in less than 7 years. Additionally, in 2024, the peak demand reached around 7,500 MW. This project will help meet this growing electricity demand in the Sultanate of Oman. Following the successful execution of Manah 1, the capacity of the renewables in the country doubled from 550MW to 1,050MW. The project supported numerous initiatives to empower Omani youth by creating job opportunities, introducing advanced technological systems, and contributing to in-country value (ICV), as well as implementing the highest standards for Health and Safety leading to zero lost time incident rate (LTIR) since the start of construction.
The project marks a significant step in enhancing the renewable energy contribution and nation's energy security, while demonstrating the country's longstanding commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability.
Cedric Le Bousse, Executive VP International Operations of EDF Renewables, said: « We are proud to celebrate the inauguration of the Manah I Solar Plant in Oman, a significant milestone achieved thanks to the strong support of local authorities, NAMA Power and Water Procurement, and the outstanding dedication of the project team and our partner KOWEPO. EDF is proud to contribute to Oman's renewable energy journey, aligning with our vision of a carbon-neutral future that combines economic growth and environmental sustainability. To reach this goal, the Sultanate of Oman embraces a mix of solutions, including renewables, energy efficiency and green hydrogen. We are committed to play a pivotal role in supporting the Sultanate's energy transition aligned with Oman Vision 2040. »
Jungbok Lee, CEO of KOWEPO, said: « Today, we take yet another significant step toward Oman's sustainable energy future. KOWEPO is honored to be part of the journey to achieve the ambitious goals of Oman Vision 2040. The successful completion of this project was made possible by the strategic leadership of the Omani government and NAMA PWP, the dedicated efforts of our outstanding partner, EDF Renewables, and the active support of the Republic of Korea's government.
This project goes beyond the completion of a solar power plant it stands as a symbol of the sustainable energy future that Oman and KOWEPO are building together. Moving forward, KOWEPO will continue to build on this partnership to contribute to Oman's energy security and green transition, while fulfilling our role as a global leader in renewable energy. »
Factsheet of Manah I Solar IPP
