Oman’s OPWP picks developer for Manah 2 solar plant: A JV made up of Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities — a subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries — and China’s Jinko Power will develop the 500 MW Manah 2 solar plant in Oman under a build-own-operate model, according to a company statement. The JV — which is 80% owned by Sembcorp Utilities — also signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Oman’s Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).

The details: Construction of the two projects will begin in 3Q 2023 and commercial operations will be completed by the middle of 2025. The combined cost of the projects will amount to over OMR 300 mn (c. USD 780 mn) and will be the largest in the sultanate.

Where’s the money coming from? This project will be financed through the JV’s funds and external loans, according to the statement, with no impact expected on Sembcorp’s earnings for the financial year ending December 31, 2023.

Oman and Sembcorp aren’t strangers: The project marks Sembcorp’s first foray into MENA’s renewables sector but the company owns 40% of Oman’s Salalah Independent Water and Power Plant, the statement notes.