Oman Power & Water Company (OPWP) is set to invite bids from consultants to advise on the construction of a reverse osmosis desalination plant at Al-Ghubra soon.

The project was originally to be developed as an independent water and power project (IWPP). A UK-based consortium of Ernst & Young, DLA Piper and British Power International was appointed to advise on Al-Ghubrah IWPP.

However, the power component of the project was dropped in June due to environmental concerns associated with the site. The IWPP advisory team was transferred to the Sur IPP in July.

OPWP is now looking to move ahead with plans to develop the independent water project (IWP) at Al-Ghubra and intends to appoint new advisers to work on the scheme.

The water desalination-only plant is expected to have a capacity of around 45 million gallons a day.

The reverse osmosis plant will help the sultanate to meet growing water demand requirements in the Muscat region.