Oman to spend $7.5bn on water networks

The Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) of Oman is planning to invest OMR2.9bn ($7.53bn) to expand and modernise the country’s water transmission infrastructure over the next two decades.

According to the authority, the average investment required to develop the required water transmission infrastructure is estimated at OMR150m ($389.63m) per annum for the next decade, with the average falling to OMR100m ($259.74m) per annum thereafter.

PAEW chairman Mohammed Abdullah al Mahrouqi said, "This estimate is only for the water transmission networks, with the investment for the water desalination capacity expected to come from the private sector."

PAEW has been engaged in developing a long-term master-plan for its investment in water transmission networks since last year.

"The master-plan identifies the investments needed over the next 20 years or so, to improve security and expand network coverage throughout our service area. Our current view is that our major programme of network investment will continue at about 1.5 times its historic rate for the foreseeable years and we are gearing up our internal resources to manage this challenging programme," al Mahrouqi said.

Image: Oman’s $7.53bn water network programme will help meet water needs of small communities in the future. Photo: Dan.