Masdar inks EPC contract for 50MW wind farm project in Oman

UAE-headquartered renewable energy company, Masdar, has signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to build the GCC’s first large-scale wind farm in Oman.

Masdar signed the Dhofar Wind Power Project contract with a global consortium comprising GE and the Spain-based firm, TSK, UAE state news agency, WAM, reported.

The 50MW project, which is being financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is expected to provide power for 16,000 homes and offset 110,000t of CO2emissions per year upon completion.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said: "Oman has immense untapped potential in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind.

“The Dhofar Wind Power Project will play an important role in supporting the diversification of Oman’s energy mix, while providing a reliable source of clean power to serve its growing population and economy."

Details of the project were first announced in 2014, when Masdar signed a joint development agreement with the Rural Areas Electricity Company of Oman (RAECO). At the time of the signing, the project's value was estimated at $125m (OMR48.1m).

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of ADFD, commented: "This 50MW project will not only serve as a model of modern power generation but [also] demonstrate the commercial viability of wind technology in the Sultanate.

“In addition, it will help facilitate greater knowledge transfer in renewable energy between the UAE and Oman. Today, this multi-partner initiative is another strategic clean energy endeavour [that] ADFD is pleased to support."

Leading the EPC consortium, GE will supply the project’s 13 wind turbines.