Muscat Governorate Advances Towards 20% Renewable Electricity Generation By 2040

The Muscat governorate in Oman is committed to achieving its goal of generating 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Energy Strategy.

In 2022, the governorate witnessed a notable increase of 31.5% in renewable electricity production compared to the previous year and now aims to further increase it by 118.5% in the current year.

The number of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Muscat rose by 70% from 70 in 2021 to 114 in 2022.

Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC), responsible for electricity distribution in the region, emphasized its commitment to supporting renewable energy targets in its 2022 Annual Report, considering its responsibilities and regulatory obligations.

According to Salman Ali al Hattali, Acting CEO of MEDC, they have successfully connected 41 solar PV systems with a total capacity of 2,276.07 kW, compared to 27 systems in the previous year. Currently, there are a total of 114 solar PV systems with a combined capacity of 9,201 kW.

To encourage the widespread adoption of renewable energy among industrial and residential customers and support the country’s vision, the Authority for Public Service Regulations (APSR) launched the SAHIM I scheme in 2017, facilitating the installation of solar PV systems.

APSR, along with distribution companies like MEDC, is actively promoting the installation of solar PV panels and the use of clean energy to meet renewable targets.

MEDC is assisting individuals and institutions interested in connecting their solar PV installations to MEDC’s network for individual or industrial electricity generation. Since the inception of the Renewable Energy Implementation program in 2017, MEDC has received a total of 225 applications for solar PV connections. In 2022, over 50% of progress was achieved in project implementation, with a forecast of connecting 20,112 kW generation capacity to the MEDC network by the end of 2023.

MEDC is currently collaborating with PDO and Hussam Technology Company to commission projects and supply solar energy to 65 residential systems in Muscat. Nine systems have already been approved, energized, and connected, while 35 projects are in the initial stage, and 21 are in the design stage.