The contract for the development of Oman's maiden commercial-scale wind farm is expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2016, said a report quoting a senior official.

Oman’s Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco) is developing the project with the UAE’s renewable energy company Masdar, the Oman Daily Observer reported.

Four international companies are in contention for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to implement a 50 megawatt (MW) capacity wind-based renewable energy project at Thamrait in Dhofar Governorate.

According to Khalil Al Mantheri, section head for renewable energy at the wholly government-owned Raeco, the selection process leading to the contract is yet to be completed, the report said.

Around 17 to 25 wind turbines have been proposed to be installed and generation capacities will vary from two to 3.5 MW per wind turbine. An international operator will also be appointed to run the wind farm, the report said.

Also as part of the operator’s remit, a number of Omani staff will be trained in various technical areas including the operation and maintenance of the facility, and training support will be provided during the first three years of plant operation.

Around 16,000 homes will receive their energy needs from this initiative when it comes into operation in 2017, it said.