OREANDA-NEWS. GDF SUEZ inaugurated two power plants in the Sultanate of Oman this week. The Sohar 2 and Barka 3 power plants, which represent a combined investment of USD1.7 billion and total installed capacity of 1,488 MW.

These two projects were tendered by the Government of Oman in 2009 to meet the country's growing power needs. A consortium led by GDF SUEZ was awarded both projects in 2010 and three years later, Barka 3 and Sohar 2 started commercial operation on schedule, adding significant capacity to the Sultanate's Main Interconnected System (MIS). The Group's partners in the consortium were Suhail Bahwan Group, the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI) of Oman, Sojitz Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc. of Japan.

Willem Van Twembeke, CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy International, who attended the inauguration ceremonies, said: “Over the last 20 years, GDF SUEZ has been a reliable, efficient and long-term supplier of power and water to the people of Oman. In partnership with the Government of Oman, we remain committed to meeting the growing future energy and water needs of the Country.”

Sohar 2 and Barka 3 are coastal, gas-fired combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) plants with a capacity of 744 MW each. With state-of-the-art technology, they are the most energy efficient large-scale power plants in Oman.

The Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) is the single off-taker for both project companies under two separate 15-year power purchase contracts. According to OPWP, peak demand for electricity in the MIS is expected to grow at an average rate of 9.5% per annum driven by population growth, general economic development and infrastructure expansion.

In May 2014, 35% of the shares in Sohar 2 (Al Batinah Power) and Barka 3 (Al Suwadi Power) will be offered to the public in accordance with the Project Founders Agreement that requires the shareholders to offer 35% of the shares to the public within four years from incorporation of the company.