Oman eyes Gulf’s first coal power plant – report

DUBAI, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Oman is considering building the first coal-fired Gulf Arab power plant in the latest sign of concern about a gas supply shortage in the world’s biggest oil exporting region, the Middle East Economic Digest reported.

Gulf Arab states have about 30 percent of the world’s oil reserves and 8 percent of its gas, but an economic boom spurred by record crude prices is driving demand for power and water so rapidly that many are considering turning to coal imports.


Oman Power & Water Procurement Co has told consultants they may have to study the option of using coal as fuel at its next power and water project, the London-based weekly said in its latest edition, citing sources close to project.

“There is an option to do a feasibility study,” the magazine quoted one source as saying.

The plant will have capacity of 700 megawatts of power and 26 million gallons a day of desalinated water, it said.

Reuters