Petroleum Development Oman is expanding its involvement in solar energy.
The state-owned company let a contract to a consortium led by Marubeni Corp. for a 100-Mw independent power producer project that will supply its power needs.
The contract covers design, procurement, construction, commissioning, financing, and operation and maintenance of a photovoltaic plant at Amin in southern Oman, about 210 km northwest of Thumrait.
Other consortium members are Oman Gas Co., Bahwan Renewable Energy Co., and Modern Channels Services.
PDO said it will be the first utility-scale solar project with an oil and gas company as the sole wholesale buyer of electricity.
In partnership with GlassPoint Solar, PDO is building the 1-Gw Miraah solar plant at Amal to raise steam for recovery of heavy oil (OGJ Online, Sept. 12, 2018).