ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS
Khimji Ramdas to install Oman’s first largescale 1 MW Rooftop Solar PV system
As the Sultanate embarks on achieving its ambitious goal of turning 30 per cent of its energy sources into renewable energy by 2030, Khimji Ramdas (KR) is adding to the momentum by announcing a strategic partnership with Nafath RE, a leading SME in renewable energy sector to design, develop, install and commission Solar Energy systems in the Sultanate.
The partnership signing ceremony was held at the Sheraton Oman Hotel, Muscat to announce the installation of Oman’s first largescale 1 MW Rooftop Solar PV system. Speaking on the occasion, Nailesh Khimji, Director, Khimji
Ramdas said, “Solar energy in Oman is at the cusp of massive expansion with the government clearing the decks for a production of electricity from multitude of installations through the Sahim 2 initiative. We at Khimji Ramdas in collaboration with Nafath Renewable Energy LLC dedicate our efforts in moving the business to the most efficient frontier and help establish a long term, respectable, capacity that will efficiently utilise the abundant solar energy that our country is blessed with.”
An initial project will be executed in Barka involving retrofitting a few thousand Tier I Solar PV modules covering an area greater than 5000 m². The solar plant will be able to feed any excess energy generated by the solar plant back to the grid following Sahim 2 initiative under the Authority for Electricity Regulation, Oman (AER). The plant is expected to generate 1700MWh of clean energy per year, serving as a small contribution to Oman’s target of 30% renewables penetration by 2030.The plant shall be able to reduce 1460 Tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Abdulla Nasser Al Saidi, CEO, Nafath Renewable Energy LLC said, “We are delighted to be partnering with KR to jointly developing the solar market in Oman. With this signature project we intend to showcase our design and execution capability that will go a long way to further the expansion of solar energy in Oman.”
This initiative falls directly in-line with KR’s vision of building national capability and promoting SMEs to compete in the global market. Nafath RE, established by three young Omani entrepreneurs in 2013 is a leading company in Solar PV systems in the Sultanate. The CEO, Eng. Abdullah Al Saidi was awarded the Best Omani Entrepreneur by Riyada in 2016 along with two other founding members, Eng. Musab Al Farsi and Eng. Nasser Al Jabri.
Ravi Kumar Dhulipala, Chief Operating Officer, KR Infrastructure Group said, “Solar power has become an increasingly popular source of renewable energy due to its advanced technology, wider market reach and cost-competitiveness. Global data shows that more solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is being installed than any other generation technology. We at KR will strive to put all our marketing efforts to systematically maximise the value transfer that caters to a specific customer segment.”