Oman to study geothermal potential of hot springs
MUSCAT: A stretch of northern Oman, home to some of the country's best-known hot springs — currently popular for their tourist and therapeutic appeal — will soon be investigated for their geothermal potential, with the ultimate goal of harnessing their renewable energy capacity.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP), the sole procurer and offtaker of new power and water desalination capacity in the Sultanate of Oman.
On Sunday, the state-owned entity – part of Nama Group – invited suitably qualified consultancy firms to bid for its contract to provide 'Techno-Economic Consultancy Services' for a first-ever Hot Springs Geothermal Project in Oman. The scope of the consultancy study is set out in a Request for Proposals (RfP) document that is being made available to interested bidders in this regard.
'The selected bidder will be responsible to conduct a feasibility assessment of geothermal energy potential in specific pre-identified locations within the area between Wilayat Fanja and Al Ansab (Wilayat Bausher) as Phase I and in compliance with the specifications, terms, and conditions detailed in the RFP,' Nama PWP added in a brief introduction to the landmark initiative.
The delineated area corresponds to a part of northern Oman that hosts some of the country's well-known hot pools. These springs are linked to the movement of groundwater through deep faults and fractures, where it gets heated by geothermal gradients. The springs are rich in minerals, especially sulphur compounds, and are popular for their tourism and health-promoting benefits.
Within the capital city of Muscat, the most notable hot spring is in Bausher. The hot springs are thought to be part of minor thermal seepages, more seasonal and dependent on rainfall influencing underground flow.
On the outskirts of the city are the Fanja Hot Springs in the Wilayat of Bidbid. Though smaller and less developed than other thermal pools in the country, Fanja's hot springs feed into wadi systems in the vicinity.
The biggest, however, is Al Rustaq Hot Springs in South Al Batinah Governorate. Better known as Ain Al Kasfa, they refer to a cluster of hot springs with water temperatures sometimes exceeding 45°C.
Finally, a short distance from Al Rustaq are Nakhl Hot Springs (Ain Al Thawwarah), located near Nakhl Fort. The spring emerges from a lush oasis and flows through a manmade canal system, irrigating date plantations and local agriculture.
Submissions for the Hot Spring Geothermal Project study are due in by May 22, 2025, according to Nama PWP.
Thus, while the proposed study is linked to the geothermal potential of hot springs per se, global technology company SLB (formerly known as Schlumberger) is currently assessing the broader potential of geothermal resources across Oman. An agreement to this effect was signed between SLB and the Ministry and Energy and Minerals in 2022. Also collaborating in this endeavor is Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The exercise will lead to the formulation of a national strategy to develop the potential of the country's geothermal resources.
According to studies by Sultan Qaboos University, Oman hosts at least a handful of geothermal reservoirs – described as mainly low (70 – 90 degree C) and medium (100 – 174 degree C) enthalpy type reservoirs – that have not been suitably explored.
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