Thursday 20 / February / 2025
Muscat: Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) is set to embark on a strategic project to link the island of Masirah to OETC’s Transmission Network through a 35-km submarine cable with a voltage of 132 kilovolts and 60 kilometres of overhead power transmission lines.
The project aligns with Oman Vision 2040 which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by marking a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions.
The key project involves linking the island of Masirah to OETC's Transmission Network through a 35-kilometre submarine cable with a voltage of 132 kilovolts and 60 kilometres of overhead power transmission lines. The connection will extend from the Mahout substation at 400/33 kilovolts to the Masirah substation. The consultancy contract for this project was awarded to an experienced firm in December 2023.
Furthermore, the transmission line routes and the marine cable directions have been approved by all relevant authorities, and a tender for project implementation is set to be released, with construction scheduled to commence in 2024. These strategic projects are aimed at realising Oman's Vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. They aim to reduce reliance on diesel-based power generation, curb carbon emissions, meet the energy demands of Masirah Island, and accommodate the growing electricity consumption while also facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.
This project includes a unique technological component in the form of the submarine cable, which employs complex and highly critical technologies. The project consultant has completed marine surveys, including geophysical and geotechnical surveys, each with its specialized equipment and expertise. These surveys represent the crucial initial steps required for the construction of the undersea cable.
Eng. Hisham Al-Riyami, the General Manager of the Planning and Design Department, emphasized the strategic significance of this project and its potential to enhance the power supply on Masirah Island. He noted that it will improve various services on the island, saying, "Oman Electricity Transmission Company always strives to meet the growing energy demand across different sectors and locations in the Sultanate of Oman. This demonstrates our commitment to contributing to the development and progress of various fields in the country. This project will support all local activities and services on Masirah Island, improve the electricity sector's infrastructure, and provide sustainable solutions to meet sector needs."
It is worth mentioning that OETC, a member of the Nama Group, is the company responsible for the transmission and control of electricity across the Sultanate’s network. The electricity is transmitted from production stations to distributed load centres in the governorates. The transmission network operates at a voltage of 132kV and above to cover most of the governorates in the Sultanate, whether in the north or the south. Furthermore, OETC manages the interconnection lines between Oman and the GCC interconnection network, which operates at a voltage of 220kV.
