Oman is set to develop two new Independent Water Projects (IWPs) to address projected water capacity shortages over the next four to six years. This initiative was announced by Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP), the nation's sole buyer and procurer of electricity and desalinated water capacity.
The first project, North Batinah IWP, is planned at a capacity of 150,000 m³/day, with operations targeted for 2032. The second, Dhofar Water IWP 2030, will have a capacity of approximately 80,000 m³/day and is expected to come online around 2030.
In its latest 7-Year Outlook Statement, Nama PWP indicated that the North Batinah project is designed to meet demand growth across the Main Interconnected System (MIS), which covers the Muscat, Barka, and Sohar supply zones. Peak water demand in the MIS is forecast to grow at 3% per year, from 1,211 thousand m³/day in 2025 to around 1,483 thousand m³/day by 2032. Actual average demand in the MIS stood at 1,088 thousand m³/day in 2025.
"Procurement activities would begin once the Pre-Investment Appraisal Documents (PIAD) are finalised and approved by the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR). PWP is also coordinating with Nama Water Services (NWS) to secure a suitable site for this project," the company said.
Capacity in the MIS will also receive a boost in 2027, when the Ghubrah III IWP, currently under construction, is scheduled to begin commercial operations at 300,000 m³/day.
In the Sharqiyah Zone, covering the governorates of Al Sharqiyah North and South, peak demand is projected to rise at 4% annually, from 137 thousand m³/day in 2025 to 178 thousand m³/day by 2032. No new procurement is planned for that zone during the forecast period.
In the Dhofar Zone, peak demand is expected to grow at 3% per year, from 201 thousand m³/day in 2025 to 240 thousand m³/day by 2032. Nama Dhofar Services (NDS), a Nama Group subsidiary responsible for potable water delivery across Salalah, Taqah, and Mirbat, is evaluating demand based on two factors: city demand from established distribution networks, and demand from mountainous Jabal areas that still partially rely on local wellfields. NDS also plans to extend its network further into the Jabal areas and is assessing the feasibility of supplying nearby wilayats, including Thamrait and Sadah.
The proposed Dhofar Water IWP 2030 is to be located in Raysut, where a suitable site is being identified. Development will proceed following the completion of a hydrological study to establish safe abstraction levels from wellfields serving the main system.
