MUSCAT, Oman, 11 September 2023: EDF Renewables and its consortium partner, Korea Western Power Co Ltd (KOWEPO), announced today the groundbreaking at the site of their 500-megawatt (MW) Manah 1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant. Making the announcement through a Press release, EDF Renewables said the plant, located approximately 120 kilometres South of Muscat city, will set a benchmark for the solar power market in Oman. The milestone, the release said, was marked with a private ceremony supported by congratulatory messages from key partners, including the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) and the buyer, Nama Power & Water Procurement (PWP). 

The release said EDF Renewables and KOWEPO also finalised and selected Worley as the owner engineer for the project.  Worley, the release said, will work alongside the Wadi Noor Solar Power Company to deliver the PV plant on time, following the highest standards on the market.   

EDF Renewables said the ceremony was held at the project site with dignitaries to celebrate the achievement of the project’s mobilisation milestone. EDF Renewables added H.E. Dr. Masoor Al Hinai, Chairman, APSR, H.E. Sheikh Dr Faisal bin Ali Al–Zaidi, Wali of Manah, Ahmed Al Subhi, Chairman, NAMA, Ahmed al Mahrizi, Group CEO, NAMA, Yaqoob Al Kiyumi, CEO, PWP, the official representatives of the Embassy of France in Oman, H.E. Kim Kiejoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Oman, Olivier Bordes, CEO Middle East, EDF Renewables, KO, Youn Ho, Managing Director Overseas Business, KOWEPO, and the Project Company reiterated their commitment to contributing to the sustainability targets of the Sultanate’s renewable energy sector. 

 Bordes said: “This project demonstrates EDF Renewables support for Oman’s Vision 2030 objectives and climate goals. Sustainability, low-carbon innovative solutions and nurtured local knowledge is the cornerstone of EDF Renewables. Moreover, we will continue working with the Sultanate of Oman’s government to drive its clean energy transition while supporting the Sultanate in reaching its renewables capacity target of 30% by 2030”. 

 Bordes further said once fully operational , the project will considerably contribute to power with clean electricity in 50,000 Omani homes while offsetting over 780,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.  

 Youn Ho said, “We will do our best to work alongside our partner to ensure the smooth implementation of the Manah 1 project to satisfy the energy transition plan in Oman.”   

EDF Renewables said the plant would span over approximately 7.8 square kilometres in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and the 500 MW photovoltaic plant will become the benchmark for Oman’s solar market, deploying over 1 million bifacial PV modules mounted on a single axis tracker system.