Latest news with #GreaterMuscatStructurePlan
Observer
26-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Green energy for Oman's smart city projects
MUSCAT: Oman's national grid will be suitably expanded and modernized to help meet a dramatic leap in the green energy requirements of a slate of Smart Cities and sustainable urban development schemes currently in various stages of early implementation in various parts of the Sultanate. According to Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), the majority-state-owned operator of the national grid, an upgrade of the Electricity Transmission Master-Plan for the 2025 – 2040 timeframe will factor in the clean energy demand projections of these landmark urban schemes. 'The plan ensures resilience, reliability, efficiency, and adaptability to future energy needs,' OETC – part of Nama Group – said. 'Additionally, the new plan will include, load forecasting, renewable energy integration plans, green hydrogen integration, transmission expansion planning, ancillary services analysis, economic and environmental assessments and potential cross-border interconnections,' it noted in its latest Annual Transmission Capability Statement. The master-plan envisions significant clean energy demand growth from, among other sectors, a large portfolio of sustainable smart cities being advanced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. 'These urban projects aim to enhance economic growth, sustainability, and quality of life by integrating smart infrastructure, green energy, and advanced technology,' said OETC in its statement. Topping the list in terms of anticipated energy demand is the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, an ambitious urban development scheme with a projected clean energy requirement of a hefty 5 gigawatts (GW) when it is fully implemented by 2040. A focused spatial development strategy for the sprawling 1360km² metropolitan region of the city also envisions investments in renewable energy, AI-driven urban services, and transport connectivity. Sultan Haitham City, the country's first fully smart city, is expected to have an energy demand of around 105 MW by 2040. Covering an area of 14.8 million square meters, the new city will comprise as many as 19 integrated neighborhoods to be built in four phases over a 22-year timeframe spanning the 2024 - 2045 period. When fully built out, it will accommodate over 100,000 inhabitants. The smart city will feature net-zero buildings, digital infrastructure, and electric transport. In Dhofar Governorate, the Greater Salalah Structure Plan envisions the development of a regional trade and tourism hub focusing on green infrastructure and wind energy integration. Energy demand is estimated at more than 200MW by 2040. A similar structure plan for Greater Nizwa entails the expansion of the historic city with an emphasis on water management and eco-tourism. Clean energy demand is projected at over 400 MW by 2040. Likewise, the Ibri Structural Plan – centring on the establishment of a logistics and renewable energy hub supporting solar and wind power projects – estimates clean energy demand at more than 350MW by 2040. In Suhar, a new smart industrial and residential city is envisaged with the goal of enhancing Oman's role as a trade and logistics center. The estimated energy demand of the city is more than 240MW by 2040. 'OETC plays a vital role in integrating these smart cities into a reliable, efficient, and future-ready power grid. The main areas of integration include renewable energy by expanding transmission networks to support solar, wind, and decentralized power generation, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure by establishing smart EV charging networks across new urban areas and grid expansion via enhancing transmission lines and reactive power compensation to support urban growth,' the grid operator added.
Observer
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Heavy vehicles above 3 tonnes not allowed on Mountain Road
The Muscat Municipality is imposing height restrictions on Al Jabal Road (Amerat-Bausher Mountain Road) at four different locations. "To improve safety and traffic flow, Muscat Municipality is installing height restriction barriers on Amerat–Bausher Mountain Road to limit vehicles over three tonnes or three metres high. Heavy vehicle drivers are advised to follow instructions and use alternative routes," a statement said. The municipality earlier invited bids from contractors who will be responsible for all design and construction work related to the installation of height restriction signages on the road. As the mountain road has been prone to regular fatal accidents, especially those involving heavy-duty trucks that also disrupt traffic, there have been requests from the public for a permanent solution, such as an alternative tunnel road to connect the two wilayats of Amerat and Bausher, respectively. According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), a related tender will be announced this year for the tunnel project. The Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP) places lots of importance on connectivity via public transportation and less dependence on private vehicles, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP). As per the plan, the Wilayat of Al Amerat, separated from the rest of the city by mountains, will be connected through a road tunnel in addition to the existing mountain road. This tunnel will change the face of Al Amerat as it will help link the suburb with Ruwi through a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), those connected with the masterplan says.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Height restrictions likely on Amerat-Bausher Mountain Road
Muscat: The Muscat Municipality is planning to install height restriction signs on Al Jabal Road (Amerat-Bausher Mountain Road) at four different locations. The municipality has invited bids from contractors who will be responsible for all design and construction work related to the installation of related height restriction signages on the road. The last date to submit bids is March 16 As the mountain road has been prone to regular fatal accidents, especially those involving heavy-duty trucks that also disrupt traffic, there have been requests from the public for a permanent solution, such as an alternative tunnel road to connect the two wilayats of Amerat and Bausher, respectively. According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), a related tender will be announced this year for the tunnel project. The Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP) places lots of importance on connectivity via public transportation and less dependence on private vehicles, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP). As per the plan, the Wilayat of Al Amerat, separated from the rest of the city by mountains, will be connected through a road tunnel in addition to the existing mountain road. This tunnel will change the face of Al Amerat as it will help link the suburb with Ruwi through a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), those connected with the masterplan says. n
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: 1.1mln jobs near public transport in Muscat by 2040
A shift away from car-centric urban planning, coupled with a greater emphasis on public modes of transportation, are among key policy directions at the heart of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP) currently under development by Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Indeed, by 2040, the Plan will ensure that more than 1.1 million jobs will be within walking distance of a public transport stop, say experts associated with the landmark initiative. Leading Italian mobility and transportation specialist MIC-HUB has been tapped to develop mobility strategies as part of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, currently being undertaken by a multidisciplinary team led by F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy and Broadway Malyan, a UK-based global urbanism practice. According to Milan-based MIC-HUB, the GMSP strategy seeks to address, among other urban planning challenges, the capital city's unsustainable dependence on private vehicles for transportation. Daily motorized journeys, which averaged 3.7 million in 2022, are projected to nearly double to 6.2 million by 2040, unless effective mobility solutions are implemented, it warned in a recent post. 'The aim of the GMSP (spanning the 2022 – 2040 timeframe) is to provide a more focused spatial development strategy for the metropolitan region. This interdisciplinary project has evolved from the National and Regional spatial strategies to focus on how the largest city of Oman can solve key challenges and create a more sustainable and liveable future for its inhabitants,' the mobility solutions specialist pointed out. 'Population growth, urban sprawl and a high degree of car dependency contribute towards increasing challenges for everyday urban mobility, where transportation infrastructure becomes a bottleneck of social and economic life within the whole area,' it stated. To address mobility-related challenges, the Greater Muscat Plan espouses five key policy directions: Promoting public transport; Improving network access; Enhancing cargo logistics; Supporting soft mobility; and Leveraging transport technology. According to MIC-HUB, public transportation services – anticipated to cover 80 per cent of the population by 2040 - will contribute to a more productive economy. Citing its study, it noted that more than 1.1 million jobs will be located within a short walking distance of a public transport stop by 2040, once the Greater Muscat Plan is fully implemented. Furthermore, in a bid to bolster network access to inhabitants of the capital city, more than 900 kilometres of the estimated 1,431 kilometres of new proposed road projects will be designed for modes of transport other than cars. Additionally, in line with a policy direction to enhance cargo accessibility across the city, a system of logistics corridors and hubs is proposed with the ultimate goal of 'greening' the Muscat's logistics infrastructure. At the same time, access to major gateways and industrial areas will be guaranteed under this policy direction. Crucially, the Greater Muscat Plan champions the adoption of soft mobility modes, chiefly walking and cycling, particularly as 5 per cent of all trips in the future will be under 1km and 24 per cent under 5 km. Finally, the Plan envisions the establishment of a high-tech Traffic Control Centre in support of its Policy Direction on the exploitation of transport technology. The centre will enable the rollout of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Logistics-as-a-Service (LaaS) – both cutting edge technologies – across the city. © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
28-01-2025
- Business
- Observer
1.1m jobs near public transport in Muscat by 2040
MUSCAT, JAN 28 A shift away from car-centric urban planning, coupled with a greater emphasis on public modes of transportation, are among key policy directions at the heart of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP) currently under development by Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Indeed, by 2040, the Plan will ensure that more than 1.1 million jobs will be within walking distance of a public transport stop, say experts associated with the landmark initiative. Leading Italian mobility and transportation specialist MIC-HUB has been tapped to develop mobility strategies as part of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, currently being undertaken by a multidisciplinary team led by F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy and Broadway Malyan, a UK-based global urbanism practice. According to Milan-based MIC-HUB, the GMSP strategy seeks to address, among other urban planning challenges, the capital city's unsustainable dependence on private vehicles for transportation. Daily motorized journeys, which averaged 3.7 million in 2022, are projected to nearly double to 6.2 million by 2040, unless effective mobility solutions are implemented, it warned in a recent post. 'The aim of the GMSP (spanning the 2022 – 2040 timeframe) is to provide a more focused spatial development strategy for the metropolitan region. This interdisciplinary project has evolved from the National and Regional spatial strategies to focus on how the largest city of Oman can solve key challenges and create a more sustainable and liveable future for its inhabitants,' the mobility solutions specialist pointed out. 'Population growth, urban sprawl and a high degree of car dependency contribute towards increasing challenges for everyday urban mobility, where transportation infrastructure becomes a bottleneck of social and economic life within the whole area,' it stated. To address mobility-related challenges, the Greater Muscat Plan espouses five key policy directions: Promoting public transport; Improving network access; Enhancing cargo logistics; Supporting soft mobility; and Leveraging transport technology. According to MIC-HUB, public transportation services – anticipated to cover 80 per cent of the population by 2040 - will contribute to a more productive economy. Citing its study, it noted that more than 1.1 million jobs will be located within a short walking distance of a public transport stop by 2040, once the Greater Muscat Plan is fully implemented. Furthermore, in a bid to bolster network access to inhabitants of the capital city, more than 900 kilometres of the estimated 1,431 kilometres of new proposed road projects will be designed for modes of transport other than cars. Additionally, in line with a policy direction to enhance cargo accessibility across the city, a system of logistics corridors and hubs is proposed with the ultimate goal of 'greening' the Muscat's logistics infrastructure. At the same time, access to major gateways and industrial areas will be guaranteed under this policy direction. Crucially, the Greater Muscat Plan champions the adoption of soft mobility modes, chiefly walking and cycling, particularly as 5 per cent of all trips in the future will be under 1km and 24 per cent under 5 km. Finally, the Plan envisions the establishment of a high-tech Traffic Control Centre in support of its Policy Direction on the exploitation of transport technology. The centre will enable the rollout of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Logistics-as-a-Service (LaaS) – both cutting edge technologies – across the city.
