Oman plans to introduce competition among generators by introducing the Middle East’s first spot market for electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) by 2017. State utility Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) says the new procurement arrangements will initially focus on the Main Interconnected System (MIS), the electricity distribution grid covering the north of the country.
OPWP announced on 30 January that it plans to develop the electricity spot market in consultation with all stakeholders. The company says the main features of the new arrangements will be the introduction of a spot market to operate alongside and in conjunction with existing power purchase agreements (PPAs), and the implementation of a more flexible process for awarding new PPAs with a view to increasing competition between new-build and existing plants. (CONTINUED - 547 WORDS)
