The Barka V Independent Water Project (IWP), which began commercial operations in South Al Batinah Governorate in June 2024, is planning to integrate a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility to partially offset its use of gas-fired electricity, reports Zawya. The initiative aligns with Oman’s broader energy transition objectives.
The desalination plant, with a production capacity of 100,000 m³ per day (approximately 22 million imperial gallons per day), is owned and operated by GS Inima Barka V Desalination Co SAOC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spain-based water infrastructure company GS Inima Environment. A 6.3 MW solar PV plant is currently under construction adjacent to the facility and is scheduled to become operational by March 2026. Once commissioned, the solar installation is expected to supply around 11% of the plant’s total energy requirements through 2044, corresponding to the duration of its water purchase agreement with Nama Power and Water Procurement (Nama PWP).
“This 6 MW facility is a project of vital importance, strategically designed to cover approximately half of the desalination plant’s energy demand. Its integration is crucial for securing a sustainable and reliable energy source for this critical water infrastructure,” said Jacobo Stuyck, Renewable Energy Business Development at GS Inima Environment.
Once completed, Barka V will become the second desalination plant in Oman to incorporate solar energy into its operations
Following a recent site visit, Stuyck noted that Spanish firm OCA Global is serving as the engineering consultant for the solar PV project, while Omani clean energy company Nafath Renewable Energy is acting as the EPC contractor. “With construction progressing, our current target is to have the Barka solar plant fully operational by March. We look forward to reaching this important milestone soon,” he added.
Abdullah Al Saidi, Co-Founder of Nafath Renewable Energy, stated: “We remain fully committed to supporting your net-zero ambitions, enabling wider adoption of renewable energy solutions, and strengthening local capabilities in line with Oman Vision 2040.”
Once completed, Barka V will become the second desalination plant in Oman to incorporate solar energy into its operations. This development reflects increasing efforts by public and private stakeholders to reduce emissions from water infrastructure and improve energy efficiency.
The first desalination facility in Oman to adopt solar power was the Sharqiyah Desalination Plant in Sur, which was integrated with a 17 MWp solar PV system in April 2023. Developed by Veolia and TotalEnergies, the system generates approximately 32,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, supplying the plant’s daytime power needs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It remains the largest solar PV installation dedicated to desalination in Oman and serves as a reference point for renewable energy integration in utility infrastructure.
