Oman Awards 2 GW Pumped Hydro, 500 MW Solar Projects to EDF-Led Consortium

Oman has awarded contracts for a 2,000 MW pumped hydro energy storage project and a 500 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project to a consortium led by France-based EDF Power Solutions, marking a major step in the Sultanate's efforts to strengthen its electricity grid and accelerate renewable energy deployment.

The agreements were signed during the official visit of an Omani delegation to France in the presence of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

The flagship project is the 2,000 MW Jabal Abyad Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) facility, which is expected to become the largest pumped hydro storage project in the Middle East. The project will be developed by EDF Power Solutions in partnership with ONEIC, Takhzeen Oman and Green Universe Enterprise (GUE), alongside Oman’s Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR).

Located near the Wadi Dayqah Dam in northern Oman, the long-duration energy storage facility will enhance grid stability by storing surplus renewable electricity and supplying power during periods of high demand. The project is also expected to boost local economic development through procurement opportunities, job creation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Alongside the storage project, the consortium comprising EDF Power Solutions, ONEIC, OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE), and Nama Power and Water Procurement Company signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the 500 MW Al Kamil Solar PV Independent Power Project (IPP).

The solar project will be developed in Wilayat Al Kamil across an area of approximately 4.7 million square metres with an investment exceeding OMR 100 million (about USD 260 million). The project will be financed, constructed and operated by the consortium under the IPP model.

In addition, the Omani government signed a memorandum of understanding with EDF Power Solutions and Synergy Investments to develop a 1,000 MW sustainable digital infrastructure platform to support artificial intelligence, advanced computing and cloud services under the Oman Vision 2040 strategy.

The announcements come as Oman continues to expand its clean energy pipeline. Earlier this month, Nama launched tenders for a 1 GW solar-plus-storage project and another 500 MW solar project, while the country is also advancing large-scale round-the-clock renewable energy projects combining solar, wind and battery energy storage systems to deliver reliable clean electricity.