Oil and gas producer Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and GlassPoint Solar have began construction for the 1,021MW solar thermal plant Miraah in South Oman.
GlassPoint was appointed as the developer for the project in July 2015, which will source energy from sunrays using concentrating solar power (CSP) technology to generate steam.
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The generated steam will be further used for thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in order to extract heavy and viscous oil from the Amal field.
The facility is expected to have an average daily production capacity for 6,000t of steam.
Preparation works at the site and the grading works are being conducted by a local community contractor (LCC), which is owned and operated by Omanis.
Once operational, the Miraah plant is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 300,000t annually.
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By GlobalDataPDO managing director Raoul Restucci said: "Miraah will provide a substantial amount of the steam demand at Amal, reducing our reliance on natural gas to make steam.
"The gas saved can be used by other industries to support Oman’s diversification and economic growth strategies."
The solar plant will feature 36 glasshouse modules and has been planned for construction in four phases.
First stream generation for the Miraah solar thermal power plant is expected to start in 2017.
GlassPoint president and CEO Rod MacGregor said: "Miraah will be 100 times larger than our solar pilot at Amal, which has been operating successfully for nearly three years now.
"Miraah will generate significant value for the Sultanate by creating new opportunities in supply chain development, manufacturing capacity, employment and training."
Image: Rendering of 1,021MW solar thermal facility Miraah in South Oman. Photo: courtesy of GlassPoint Solar, Inc.
