Oman eyes solar, wind power plants

Oman is looking into building solar and wind power plants to meet rising demand as the sultanate faces a gas shortage, a government energy official said.

“We are now turning to renewable energy like wind and solar to reduce the reliance on gas as the major fuel for power stations,” Zahir Al-Suleimani, director general of projects at the Public Authority for Electricity and Water told Reuters in an interview.

“Electricity consumption is increasing by 15 percent annually and water by 10 percent due to industrial and infrastructure projects as well as domestic use.”

Gas demand is 13.6 million cubic metres per day and will increase to 20 million by 2015, according to Oman Power and Water Procurement Company figures.

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