The government of the Sultanate of Oman has announced that it intends to privatize the Salalah Electricity Station, making it the fourth such privately operated power provider in the country.
Salalah Electricity Station, which is located in the District of Dhofar, has a capacity of 200 megawatts. In 2002, the facility will be handed over to a consortium comprising of the Muscat Overseas Company, the Dhofar International Holding Company, the Omani Police Retirement Fund, Al-Shanfari Trading Company, the Global Chemical and Maintenance Systems Company, and the American Global Company. The consortium will build, operate and invest in this station in the coming 20 years.
Because of Oman's mountainous terrain and the isolated nature of many communities, the provision of electricity to all villages has always been a difficult task. A rural electrification scheme was completed in 1981, and by 1996 some 86 percent of Omanis had access to electricity.
Major power stations are located in the area of Muscat, al-Gubra and Rusail Industrial estate, Salalah, Sohar and Raysut. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
