Oman’s Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) plans to develop 100 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity at key oilfields installations across its Block 6 concession,a report said.

“By the end of the year, we will be tendering 100 MW of (solar renewables) in our installations,” Raoul Restucci, managing director, was quoted as saying in the Oman Observer report.

“We are also engaging with (state-owned power procurer) Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) to see how we can assist them in their 500 MW (utility scale) solar project,” he added.

PDO recently launched Phase 1 of its Miraah project — a 1 gigawatt solar steam plant — which is being developed by US-based technology firm GlassPoint at PDO’s Amal heavy oilfield. The majority government-owned oil and gas producer is also close to completing the installation of around 19,500 solar panels on car park sheds at its Mina Al Fahal headquarters — an initiative that can feed up to 1,000 homes.

“The renewables business in the region is projected to create in excess of 200,000 jobs over the next five years, and we want a piece of it. Also, in excess of $200 billion will be invested in renewables, and we want a share of it,” Restucci explained.