Oman is planning to spend RO2.5bn ($6.5bn) over the next 25 years to develop the country’s water networks.

Speaking at a water conference in the capital city Muscat, a senior Public Authority for Electricity & Water (PAEW) said that the investment will be split between new projects and projects to upgrade existing water infrastructure.

The spending on water schemes is expected to be made at a rate of about RO150m a year for the first 10-15 years of the masterplan. The investments are planned to expand the total length of the water distribution networks to 30,000 kilometres, three times the length of the existing network, by 2040. About 22,000km of this will be part of PAEW’s Main Interconnected System (MIS).

PAEW recently invited companies to submit bids for eight operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts for water networks across the sultanate.

Oman’s Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) has tendered eight operations and maintenance contracts for water networks across the sultanate.

One contract covers the main water transmission system. Another seven cover above and below ground water assets in the different governorates of Oman. Companies have until 22 June to submit prices.