Oman to GCC direct power interconnection to be ready by 2026
02/07/24
Oman and the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) have designed an upgraded direct interconnection link to be completed by 2026 according to Oman’s national grid operator OETC.
The new link will connect the 400kV grid station at the Ibri Independent Power Project (IPP) in Oman’s Al Dhahirah Governorate with a new 400kV grid station in Abu Dhabi. Built and owned by the GCCIA, the project will see overhead power lines run 528 kilometres which will extend all the way to the grid station owned by the GCCIA at Silaa in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is expected that the new link will increase the total transfer capability up to 1600 MW between the Oman and GCCIA networks.
Currently, Oman is connected with the GCCIA through the transmission system of the UAE (Transco Abu Dhabi). Completed in 2011, the interconnection connects the Mahdha grid station (Al Wasit) in Oman with the Al Oha grid station at Al Ain in the UAE.
According to the OETC, the upgrade will have numerous technical and commercial benefits. These include the Integration of spinning reserve requirements, an increase in the commercial sale of power between member systems and the optimisation of generation dispatch. Further benefits include the potential for renewable energy development, improving grid security and availability and CAPEX and OPEX savings.
Significantly, the OETC is also firming up plans for an interconnection between the isolated Musandam system, which is supplied via conventional gas and diesel power, with the transmission interconnected system of the UAE (Transco). It entails the installation of a new 132 kV double overhead line of 25km and underground cable of 6km between the existing 132 kV Fila grid station to the existing 132 kV Dibba grid station in Oman. The initiative falls in line with the Oman Vision 2040 and will also improve facilities for visitors to Oman.
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