4 initiatives unveiled to boost electricity, water services
The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has introduced four groundbreaking initiatives aimed at enhancing service quality and energy efficiency, while meeting rising demand for electricity and water services across the sultanate.
These developments were announced at APSR'S annual media meeting on Monday, where the authority also reviewed its achievements in 2023 and outlined its strategic plans for the future.
The first of these initiatives announced guarantees direct compensation for electricity consumers should service providers fail to meet predefined quality standards. This approach will ensure accountability, with compensations directly adjusted in subscribers' electricity bills in case of non-compliance by service providers.
In a significant move towards renewable energy, APSR announced the establishment of five new wind energy stations: Dhofar 2 (132MW), Sadah (99MW), Duqm (270MW), Mahout (400MW) and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (105MW). This expansion of 1,006MW wind power underlines Oman's commitment to diversifying its energy sources and bolstering its renewable energy capacity.
The third initiative introduces a spot selling project in Oman’s electricity market, designed to attract investments, streamline the purchasing process, and enhance transparency between consumers and electricity generation plants.
The fourth initiative focuses on implementation of home wastewater treatment plants to expedite sanitation service coverage, aiming to minimise both capital and operational expenditures associated with wastewater management.
Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of APSR, emphasised the significant reduction in water service connection fees by 70% for both residential and commercial users, alongside improved service delivery timelines - cut down to nine days for water and two days for electricity.
Hinai also highlighted the substantial work assigned to small and medium enterprises within the electricity, water and sanitation, and natural gas transportation sectors, worth Ro73mn.
He highlighted resolution of 91% of customer complaints and a 40% reduction in response time, marking a significant stride towards consumer satisfaction. Last year also saw enactment of the Water and Sanitation Regulation Law, establishing a robust legislative framework for the sector.
With remarkable increase in actual reading rates and installation of over 676,000 smart meters in the electricity sector and 332,000 in the water sector, APSR is making headway in technological adoption.
Hinai further shed light on the critical electrical interconnection project between the sultanate's north and south, aiming to optimise energy use and reduce carbon emissions by 32,000 tonnes annually.