Sultanate of Oman

Reinforcement of Desalinated Water Transmission Lines in Al Batinah Governorates
Loan No: 659 Interest Rate: 2.5 %
Beneficiary: Public Authority for Electricity and Water Grace Period: 6 years
Project Cost: KD 100.0 million Maturity: 30 years
Amount of Loan: KD 70.0 million Repayment: 49 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: 2018-05-12 First Installment: 6 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 2018-12-24 Date of Loan Effectiveness: -

Objectives:

The project aims at facing the current deficit in meeting the demand for drinking water, and the increasing future needs in North and South Al Batinah governorates up to the year 2040. This will be achieved through the laying of transmission lines to transfer desalinated water, available from the Barka desalination plant, which was recently expanded, and the Sohar desalination plant, the expansion of which is about to be completed. The transmission line between the two desalination plants will avoid any water cutoffs in Al Batinah governorates in the case of a breakdown in either plant or in their subsidiary facilities. The project will provide drinking water for the people living in the vicinity of the project who resort to water tanks to meet their needs, in addition to providing water to several industrial and touristic projects, and public facilities in the area.

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2022, consists of the laying of pipelines, and the construction of water reservoirs and water pumping stations. It includes all civil, hydromechanical and electrical works, which include the provision of electricity to the stations, the establishment of the necessary monitoring and control systems in the project facilities and their operation, and any necessary complementary works for the implementation of the project and the achievement of its objectives. The project also includes the necessary technical services to prepare the studies, designs and tender documents, assistance in bid analysis and works supervision. The project consists of the following components:

  1. Water Transmission Facilities:This includes the laying of pipelines with a total length of about 140 km and diameters ranging between about 600 and 1800 mm, the construction of six water pumping stations with a capacity ranging between about 1490 and 11900 m3/hour each, the construction of four reservoirs with a capacity ranging between about 5000 and 50000 m3each. This also includes all civil, hydromechanical and electrical works, which cover the provision of electricity to the pumping stations, the provision and installation of equipment and supplies for the protection and operation of the water transmission lines, and the establishment of the necessary monitoring and control systems in the project facilities and their operations.
  2. Technical Services:This includes the required consultancy services to prepare the studies, designs and tender documents for the project, assistance in bidding and bid analysis, and works supervision. It also includes the preparation of any additional studies that may be necessary to implement the project and achieve its aims.

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 70% of the total project cost. The Omani Government will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that may arise.