Latest news with #APSR
Gulf Insider
29-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Oman Bans Power And Water Cuts During Exams, Holidays And Night Hours
The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has reiterated that electricity and water services must not be disconnected during certain sensitive periods, including exam seasons, holidays and nighttime hours. According to APSR, utility disconnections are prohibited between 5pm and 7am, as well as on the last working day before weekends or official holidays. Additionally, no power or water cuts are allowed during the General Education Diploma (GED) exams and throughout the month of Ramadan, in coordination with education authorities. These regulations apply to both the electricity and water sectors, ensuring uninterrupted service for residents during crucial times for families and students. In a move to ease financial pressure on households, Oman has also reduced residential electricity bills for the summer months of May to August 2025, when demand is at its peak. Eligible residents are encouraged to register for the National Subsidy System, which provides additional support based on income and residency criteria. The announcement comes amid strong growth in the energy sector. In 2024, Oman's electricity production rose by 7.5%, reaching 45,388 gigawatt-hours by the end of November. Growth was driven by increased output in North and South Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, and Dhofar. The electricity and water sectors contributed 2.5% to Oman's GDP in 2024, with total investments in regulated sectors reaching 2.837 billion Omani riyals from 2020 to 2024. Of this, 450 million riyals were directed toward electricity generation. Looking ahead, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts Oman's electricity consumption to grow by around 3% annually over the next three years, while APSR continues to advance renewable energy and infrastructure development.
Muscat Daily
28-05-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Power, water cut bans in effect during exams, holidays: APSR
Muscat – The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has reiterated guidelines aimed at safeguarding the continuous provision of essential electricity and water services under specific circumstances. According to the directive, electricity services must not be disconnected between 5pm and 7am. The restriction also applies on the last working day preceding weekends or official holidays. In addition, disconnections are strictly prohibited during the General Education Diploma examination period, in accordance with the official schedules issued by the competent educational authority. In parallel, similar provisions apply to the water sector. Water supply services must not be suspended during the same time window – between 5pm and 7am – or on the final working day before any weekend or public holiday. The authority also emphasised that disconnection of either electricity or water services is not permitted during the holy month of Ramadan, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential utilities throughout the period. These measures are part of APSR's broader commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring reliable access to essential services, particularly during sensitive or high-impact periods.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's small-scale solar sector projected to reach 130 MW by year-end
MUSCAT: A significant uptick in small and medium-sized solar PV investments is set to boost the aggregate generation capacity of these installations to around 130 MW by the end of 2025, up from 92.5 MW at the end of last year. According to Nama Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC), the main national distribution utility of the Sultanate of Oman (with the exception of Dhofar Governorate), more than 400 new applications for solar PV connections were received in 2024 alone. They are set to join an expanding portfolio of customers totalling 856 as of the end of last year. 'With a goal of achieving more than 20% of the renewable energy consumption by 2040 as part of Oman Vision 2040 goals, efforts are underway to develop, plan and promote eco-friendly energy systems,' NEDC – part of Nama Group – stated in its newly released Annual Report for 2024. 'NEDC plays a crucial role in this transition, overseeing small and medium-sized grid-connected solar PV projects through a dedicated unit. These projects adhere to technical guidelines and regulations set by the Authority of Public Services Regulatory (APSR) across three stages: Initial Enquiry, Design Approval and Commissioning. The adoption of solar energy aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and preserve natural resources,' the state-owned utility added. Of the 856 customers with installed solar PV capacity to date, the lion's share (476 customers) are from the residential sector, with a combined capacity of 5.948 MW. Around 60.262 MW, representing two-thirds of total installed capacity, is contributed by commercial customers (totalling 178 in number). Government customers, numbering 119, account for 20.815 MW of capacity. Making up the rest are 83 agricultural customers with a capacity of 5.475 MW. Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, investments in small and mid-scale solar PV capacity are also contributing to national development by creating employment opportunities, boosting local content and enhancing relevant technical capabilities. 'NEDC has begun implementing solar energy projects across Oman, showcasing its commitment to the country's energy transition and renewable energy potential. The goal is to attain technical, social and economic benefits while serving as a public advocate for renewable energy technologies,' it noted. Significantly, rising demand for solar rooftop and ground-mounted systems has sparked a proliferation of contractors. Another model that's gaining traction, particularly among large commercial customers, is the Build, Own, Operate (BOO) paradigm. In this model, the contractor finances, installs and owns the system, selling electricity to the customer under a long-term agreement. Some niche players have also begun to offer a subscription-based Solar as a Service (SaaS) model. In this model, a customer pays a flat or performance-based monthly fee for access to solar power, while the contractor retains ownership and responsibility for maintenance. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
07-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
No plans to phase out subsidies by year-end: APSR
Muscat: The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has confirmed that what has been circulated about its plan to completely lift subsidies before the end of 2025 is false. Speaking on the 'Economic Forum' programme on Oman Radio, Dr Mansoor bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the authority, reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining current support mechanisms while simultaneously working to enhance sector efficiency. 'There is no intention to fully remove subsidies until the end of 2025,' Al Hinai confirmed. According to the APSR Chairman, the authority is currently working within regulatory frameworks alongside all licensed companies to reduce costs, improve system efficiency, and introduce alternative energy sources. Al Hinai said that efforts are underway, and focus has been made on boosting service quality and cost-effectiveness. Through service-level assurance standards, we will guarantee a consistent level of service for every electricity subscriber. We have already begun trial phases in the water sector, in coordination with licensed operators,' he added. In his statement, al Hinai said companies that failed to meet the service-level assurance standards will be entitled to pay compensation directly to its customers. "The Authority announced last year that electricity firms are directly responsible for granting compensation to their customers if they failed to meet the service-level requirements set by the Authority", he pointed out. Al Hinai said compensations paid last year stood at around RO 60,00 following failure by some companies to provide the service-level required.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman powers global dialogue on clean energy at ERRA Summit
MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, inaugurated the International Conference of the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA), the first such conference to be held in the Middle East. Organized by the Sultanate of Oman through the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), the conference attracted more than 280 professionals from 50 countries. Featuring policymakers, regulators, academics, and private sector leaders, the conference highlighted Oman's growing stature in the global energy market and its resolve to shape the future for sustainable energy governance. The conference, which was recognized as a strategic platform to advance sustainability and regulatory excellence, welcomed Oman hosting 47 organizations from across the globe. Senior-level discussions included specialist scientific workshops on global energy transformation and investing in clean energy technologies. Bilateral meetings and technical exchanges between international institutions and private sector stakeholders were also facilitated, with a view to forging regional partnerships and enhancing technical cooperation in new energy projects. The event also reaffirmed Oman's status as a visionary and trustworthy partner within the global energy community. Dr Mansoor bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation stated, "The Sultanate of Oman, via the Authority for Public Services Regulation, is hosting the high-profile Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA) conference, and for the first time in the history of the Middle East. This historic move shows Oman's growing leadership in the management of the important energy sector and its commitment to encouraging the spread of sustainable practices across the region.". Dr Al Hinai added: 'The conference is a significant forum for the exchange of international experience to the benefit of private sector participants, regulatory institutions, and government agencies. Key topics include increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity production, challenges related to this, encouraging green finance, and highlighting international and local efforts—Oman among them—towards achieving net-zero emissions through the use of alternative energy solutions." Eng Abdullah bin Saeed Al Badri, APSR Advisor, stated: "Oman reaffirmed its ambitious clean energy transition plans to generate 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and 40% or more by 2040. These goals were put in the spotlight at the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA) Conference, hosted for the first time in the Middle East region by the Sultanate." Andrijana Nelkova-Chuchuk, Chair of ERRA, and Head of Economic Department, Energy, Water Services and Municipal Waste Management Services Regulatory Commission (ERC), remarked: "Our association is a community of independent regulatory bodies from over 45 countries on five continents. We are especially proud of the presence of our members from the Gulf region, including regulators from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai." She continued to state, "The event is taking place in a strategically important part of the world, and it is taking place at a moment of great complexity in the international energy environment. We're witnessing robust growth along with serious challenges, including those of the ongoing energy transition and recent global policy changes." "Effective regulation is our answer to these challenges, and we welcome this conference as a means of sharing knowledge and experience to the purpose of our association—as we all strive for the best for the future of the energy industry," she added. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
