Privatisation
drives Omani power needs
Posted: 18 February 2004
Stable services to 97 per cent of Sultanate underpinned
by privatisation initiative
By introducing private sector investment into the power industry,
the Sultanate of Oman becomes the first country in the region to
allow the establishment of independent utilities, to meet the growing
demand and diversify the country’s economy.
Electricity is reaching almost 97 per cent of the Sultanate today,
and the government is taking initiatives to further strengthen the
infrastructure.
At the Middle East Electricity Exhibition, Nelson D’Silva,
the Corporate Manager of Bin Salim Enterprises, the Oman-based Lucy
Switchgear agent, said: “This is a very positive step towards
developing the market, and it opens up massive opportunities for
leading industry technology providers such as Lucy Switchgear. With
major customers such as the Ministry of Housing Electricity and
Water (MEHW), the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health,
the company has around 90% share in the market for Ring Main Units
– providing full automation and control functionality for
enhanced network management.”
Peter Lymer, Director of Lucy Switchgear’s operations in
the region, says: “We have seen examples of how privatisation
and the introduction of competition into other sectors like GSM,
has achieved for the region. By unbundling the power sector and
setting up independent companies on a commercial basis, Oman becomes
an even bigger and more promising market for us. Although the concept
of privatising the power sector may be recent to the Middle East,
it is expected to enhance stability and make the market more quality-conscious.”
Economic development, increasing industrial capacity and fast population
growth is driving demand for electricity in the Arabian Gulf states.
These states are expected to require an additional 100 gigawatts
of power generation capacity before the year 2020 at a cost of US$150
billion (World Energy Council). The government in Oman is planning
to increase the Sultanate’s electricity generation to 3260
MegaWatts by 2006, up from 2268 MegaWatts as at the end of 2002.
“As the market expands, and the pressure increases for utilities
to improve quality of supply, network reliability and provide a
better customer service to electricity users, finding better ways
of monitoring and controlling system outages to facilitate the restoration
of supply as quick as possible has become a priority. Lucy Switchgear
is working closely with the regional power companies to help understand
and define their requirements, and a huge part of our commitment
is making the expertise and support locally available,” Lymer
ended.
The Lucy Group established Lucy Middle East as a regional office
in Dubai in 1997 in response to the fast growing customer requirements
across the Middle East region and its focus on raising customer
service standards. Lucy Switchgear FZE, was established in Jebel
Ali Free Zone in Dubai during 2000 to produce international standard
electrical systems competitively for the region. Working to the
ISO 9001 quality standard, the plant manufactures equipment and
houses full electrical testing facilities, with the capability to
service, retrofit, customise and maintain all Lucy Switchgear equipment.
About Lucy Switchgear
Lucy Switchgear is a leading global manufacturer of electrical switchgear
equipment. The company translates fundamental engineering research
into innovative ground and pole mounted switchgear to meet the global
needs of power utilities. Headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom,
with joint ventures in Saudi Arabia, India and South Africa and
operations in over 50 countries the Lucy Group is a truly integrated
international company.
Lucy Switchgear has over thirty years experience in supplying ground
and pole mounted switchgear throughout the Middle East. The group
has manufacturing facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone in the United
Arab Emirates and in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It also has a Middle
East regional office in Dubai and a UAE office in Abu Dhabi.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
