Status and Future Prospects of Wind Energy in Oman

Oman’s wind system is associated with a long coastal line and huge uninhabited area, contributing efficiently to the future renewable energy mix. Wind speed analysis from the country’s meteorological stations reveals a significant potential for wind energy in southern Oman, specifically in the Governorate of Dhofar. The plateau of Thumrait in the southern part of Oman is confirmed as an excellent location for wind farms. Oman’s coastal area has substantial wind power, mainly along the south coast of Oman around Al Hallaniyah Island. The potential of wind power around Al Hallaniyah Island is 1.34 times compared to the onshore potential of the Thumrait plateau. The first fully commercial wind farm in Oman and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was operated in the first quarter of 2020, with a capacity of 50 MW. It is projected that Dhofar’s wind farm will expand 50 MW per year, reaching a total capacity of 250 MW by 2024. The Oman renewable energy plan envisaged a second large-scale commercial wind farm project of 300 MW in the Governorate of Dhofar by 2024 under Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Two other wind farm projects are planned for the governorate of Al-Wusta in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (200 MW by 2023) and the emerging city of Duqm (400 MW by 2024). This will lift Oman’s total wind energy output to 1,150 MW producing 7.04 TWh of electricity per year in the next 5 years. The existing Oman IPP model for the electricity sector would facilitate the implementation of the planned wind power projects on time, despite the ongoing financial crisis resulting from volatility and declining oil prices from 2015 and the COVID 19 pandemic shutdown.