Utilities

With the utilities sector continuing its long-term shift towards privatisation, these are changing times for power, water and waste in the sultanate. The year ahead will see further private sector participation in the country’s electricity transmission and distribution networks, while new desalination projects will also come on-line. Oman is keen to secure greater international involvement in all sector plans, with the promotion of foreign direct investment a key part of the sultanate’s overall development strategy. The main goal is diversification away from oil and gas, and utilities are playing an important role as companies turn to renewable energy and even coal. This chapter contains an interview with Yaqoob bin Saif Al Kiyumi, CEO, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company.