Power plant planned in Duqm

Al Mahrooqi said many electricity and water projects have been embarked upon, including the building of water networks to supply citizens with fresh water in a number of wilayats.

Some electricity and water production projects are also under construction now such as new power stations in Barka, Sohar, Duqm and Sur, along with a new water desalination station in Ghubra.

He said PAEW plans to extend more water networks in different wilayats to provide drinkable water, following a systematic plan that gives the priority to the places with high population.

The Authority plans to join the e-government project by providing several of its customer services online, such as online payment of water bills by bank cards, Al Mahrooqi said. Going online will save customers’ time and effort, he added.

A customer service centre was opened for this purpose in the Authority’s headquar- ters and there is a plan to open similar other centres in other wilayats in the Governorate of Muscat.

Also, an e-portal of electricity services was launched to provide several services such as checking and paying the monthly bills, in addition to applying for electricity connection, and receiving customers’ suggestions. A detailed feasibility study is being conducted to shift from traditional meters to digital meters. This would facilitate remote reading of the meters.

Meanwhile, PAEW is also working on a master plan for energy conservation and has devised a three-pronged approach for developing a sustained thrust for the renewable energy sector.

PAEW holds that renewable energy would be important as Oman moves forward with economic diversi cation and development. Commensurate with this growth, demand for electricity and water is also on the rise and Oman needs to have a plan in place to meet those demands.