Latest news with #RO1bn
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Nama announces RO1bn transition to renewable energy, smart grid
Muscat – Oman's electricity sector is undergoing a major transformation with Nama Group announcing renewable energy projects and digital upgrades aimed at reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing grid reliability. At its annual media briefing on Tuesday, senior officials announced that over RO1bn will be invested in expanding clean energy and digitalising the network, including a nationwide rollout of smart meters and upgrades to power transmission systems. Said bin Khalaf al Abri, General Manager of Planning and Project Development at Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, said two solar projects – Ibri 3 (500MW) and Al Kamil (280MW) – have been tendered and are expected to be awarded this year. He added that the prequalification process for five wind projects has been completed. Proposals have already been invited for two, with all five scheduled to be awarded in 2025. 'Our goal is to raise the share of contracted renewable capacity to 30% of total contracted electricity by 2030,' he said. Sultan al Rawahi, General Manager of Load Dispatch Centre at Oman Electricity Transmission Company, said the country has built 116 power stations, including 17 high-voltage stations operating at 400kV. 'The network now operates at 99.9% reliability, meeting global benchmarks,' he said. Rawahi said more than 75% of conventional meters have been replaced with smart ones, with full conversion targeted by end-2025. 'This shift has helped reduce electricity loss to less than 8% for the first time in our history,' he said. Salem bin Saeed al Kamyani, CEO of Nama Electricity Distribution Company, informed that a mobile app now allows customers to monitor usage, receive top-ups and manage electric loads. 'This is part of our ongoing push to make electricity management more efficient and accessible,' he said. In the water sector, Ali bin Issa Shamas, CEO of Nama Dhofar Services, said over 22mn m3 of treated water is produced annually. He added that RO137mn worth of infrastructure tenders have been awarded, including plans to raise sewage coverage in Salalah from 76% to 95% before the end of 2025.
Muscat Daily
15-03-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman Food Bank to combat food waste, support 6,000 families
Muscat – Oman Food Bank (Daima) has launched several initiatives aimed at assisting over 6,000 families across the sultanate in an effort to reduce food waste and support needy families during Ramadan. Ahood bint Abdullah al Habishiya, Director of Marketing and Projects at Oman Food Bank, told Muscat Daily that these initiatives include distribution of iftar meals, food baskets, and fruits and vegetables. 'These initiatives are not just about providing food during Ramadan but also about promoting a culture of preserving blessings and minimising food waste,' Ahood said. Since its establishment in 2021, the food bank has been dedicated to preserving surplus food and distributing it among those in need. To date, the organisation has distributed over 300,000 meals, equivalent to around 180 tonnes of food. However, the bank's vision extends beyond food distribution. It actively works on recycling surplus food and transforming it into locally beneficial resources. This approach aligns with Oman's broader sustainability goals under Vision 2040, focusing on economic and environmental sustainability. 'Our mission is to reduce food waste, promote sustainability and enhance food security by ensuring that surplus food reaches those who need it most,' Ahood said. Highlighting the scale of the issue, Ahood cited data from be'ah, which revealed that Oman generates approximately 560,000 tonnes of food waste annually, incurring costs of around RO60mn. Additionally, the country imports food worth about RO1bn each year, while managing household waste costs an additional RO100mn. She stressed the importance of adopting smarter consumption habits to reduce waste. 'We should rationalise our spending, purchase only essential items and adopt more mindful consumption practices.' Ahood suggested practical steps such as preparing shopping lists, cooking in smaller quantities for gatherings, and teaching children the value of food and the importance of minimising waste. International practices offer valuable insights. In China, restaurants face penalties for generating excessive food waste, while South Korea enforces strict food recycling regulations. The latter recycles over 90% of its food waste – turning 30% into fertiliser, 60% into animal feed and 10% into biofuel. Ahood added that tackling food waste in Oman requires collective action. 'We need to enhance volunteer work and encourage the community to participate in reducing waste and promoting responsible food disposal.' However, the mission is not without challenges. Identifying and reaching eligible families, ensuring safety in surplus food distribution, and raising awareness about the food bank's role in food security remain key obstacles. She also underscored the need for stronger legal frameworks to manage food waste and encourage collaboration among charitable organisations. Highlighting the global context, she noted, 'Over a billion people worldwide suffer from poverty and hunger, while nearly a third of all food is lost or wasted before it reaches consumers.' To address this, Oman Food Bank collaborates with specialised institutions and leverages social media platforms to raise awareness about responsible consumption and the negative impacts of food waste. 'Our goal is to emphasise the value of food, highlight the consequences of waste and raise awareness about its impact on food security,' she said. Ahood concluded by calling for unified efforts to address these challenges and build a more sustainable and food-secure society in Oman.
Muscat Daily
15-02-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman announces plan for 3 agricultural cities worth RO3bn
Muscat – Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MHUP) has announced plans to develop three agricultural cities, each with an investment of RO1bn, in a move aimed at boosting food security and economic diversification. The initiative, launched by MHUP in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, will see the establishment of agricultural cities in Saham in North Batinah, Dhahirah and the Najd region of Dhofar. Each city will cover approximately 50sqkm, with construction on the Saham and Najd sites having begun in 2024 following finalisation of designs. The cities are expected to benefit over 43,000 people annually, contribute 2% to Oman's GDP and generate more than 10,000 jobs. As part of efforts to support economic diversification, MHUP signed 1,592 usufruct contracts in 2024 through public auctions, generating RO56mn in investments and RO9.5mn in revenues, a 2% increase from the previous year. These contracts covered key sectors such as agriculture, industry, commerce, tourism and integrated residential neighbourhoods. The ministry granted land to 19,800 beneficiaries and resolved 16,000 ownership disputes with an approval rate of 82.3%. Social housing remained a priority, with 1,242 families receiving housing assistance worth RO31mn and 200 modern housing units secured for social purposes at a cost of RO8.5mn. Urban development projects are also progressing with seven integrated residential neighbourhoods under construction – Al Naseem in Barka, Al Luban in Nakhal, Hisn al Zain in Bidbid, Al Ahd in Amerat, Al Shurooq in Salalah, Nakheel Hills in Khasab, and Majd neighbourhood in Suhar. The ministry is working on developing three more integrated residential neighbourhoods – Al Azm in Rustaq, Al Samou in Mudhaibi and Al Noor in Nizwa. These projects, valued at RO500mn, have seen 70% of Phase 1 units sold, with 25% allocated to non-Omanis to encourage foreign investment. Meanwhile, Sultan Haitham City is progressing steadily, with site preparation complete, 10% progress on five key bridges and 30% in its control centre. A central park and 2,569 housing units in Al Wafaa District have also been launched. Looking ahead, Oman is preparing for future cities in Muscat and Salalah, with structural plans underway for Muscat, Nizwa, North Batinah and Salalah to ensure planned urban expansion.
