Oman’s state-run Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP) has launched the qualification process for the country’s first large-scale waste-to-energy (WTE) facility, a major step in the Gulf state’s energy transition and waste management strategy.
The project, to be located in the coastal city of Barka, is expected to have a generation capacity of between 95 and 100 megawatts, and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in the second quarter of 2031, according to a statement issued on Monday.
The move comes as Oman intensifies efforts to diversify its power mix away from conventional fossil fuels and reduce pressure on landfills, aligning with its national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
PWP, the country’s sole procurer of electricity, is overseeing the project in coordination with the Authority for Public Services Regulation and Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah), which manages the sultanate’s solid waste.
“The Waste-to-Energy project represents a strategic leap toward achieving the Sultanate of Oman’s vision for sustainable energy and responsible waste management,” said PWP CEO Ahmed bin Salim Al Abri.
The project is expected to process municipal solid waste using advanced thermal conversion technology, feeding approximately 760 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity into the grid annually once operational.
Abdullah Rashid Al Sawafi, Chief Energy Transition Officer at PWP, said the facility will serve as a stable baseload power source that complements Oman’s growing portfolio of variable renewables such as solar and wind. “This not only significantly reduces the volume of waste directed to landfills but also plays a critical role in decarbonising the power sector,” he added.
The Request for Qualification (RFQ) process, launched this week, invites local and international developers with relevant experience to express their interest in what is being billed as one of Oman’s most transformative infrastructure projects to date.
The WTE facility is being positioned as a cornerstone of Oman’s broader push toward a circular economy, offering dual environmental benefits of waste reduction and renewable energy generation. It is also expected to support job creation and infrastructure development in Barka and the surrounding regions.
The project comes amid growing interest across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in waste-to-energy as countries look to reduce landfill use and invest in cleaner technologies. Oman’s initiative follows similar efforts in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to integrate WTE into national power strategies.
With rising urbanisation and mounting waste volumes, analysts see WTE as a promising, if capital-intensive, pathway for countries in the region to address waste and energy security challenges simultaneously.
Further details on the project’s financing structure, ownership model, and timeline for final bids are expected in subsequent tender phases following the qualification round.
PWP said it remains committed to “delivering innovative and resilient power solutions” that support Oman’s long-term sustainability goals.
