Oman National Electric Company (Onec) scored a first in the Gulf when its manufacturing division commenced production of 33kV, 20MVAR capacitor banks at its Rusayl Industrial Estate plant near Muscat earlier this year.

The order - for eight capacitor banks of those specifications - came from Oman's Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water (MHEW) and was won amidst stiff competition.

The company has entered into technical collaboration with the UK's ABB for the manufacture of capacitor banks of various ratings in Oman.

In addition to capacitor banks, Onec's manufacturing activities include desalination plants, steel structures, pressure vessels, control panels and feeder pillars.

"We're seeking tie-ups for the manufacture of valves that will particularly have applications in the energy and water sectors," said B. Ravi, senior deputy general manager for projects. The company is also seeking technology transfers for other products it intends manufacturing in the near future and for which it has been licensed including pumps and motors, motor control centres and low- and high-voltage switchgear panels and insulators.

Onec's manufacturing division, named Oman Industrial Equipment and Plant (OIEP), was set up in 1998, "The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and a well-trained and dedicated staff. The company is implementing a stringent quality system to provide high-standard products on schedule," said Ravi. "To achieve this, we have planned and developed in conjunction with all management functions an efficient Quality Assurance System based on the requirements of ISO 9001."

The company has produced high-quality desalination plants that are operating very successfully for the past several years at Bahja, Rima, Nimr and Marmul at Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) sites. They provide uninterrupted potable water supply of 4,000 cu m per day under a Boot project for PDO. The membranes of reverse osmosis desalination plants are imported and most of the other items are locally manufactured or procured by Onec.

The company is currently engaged in building six reverse osmosis desalination plants having a capacity of 1,200 cu m per day for the MHEW. Some 500 tonnes of steel structures are under fabrication for various contractors. Ravi also said Onec was regularly fabricating tanks of various capacities for the local transformer industry.

Onec was established to operate rural power stations following a decision issued by Oman's Council of Ministers in 1977. Until 1985, it implemented maintenance contracts for power and water desalination projects and in 1986 it began construction activity for power and desalination plants.

Onec capability includes the assembly and manufacture of 100 capacitor banks per year, all of which are manufactured and tested in accordance with International Electrical Corporation (IEC) standards.

He listed the manufacture and supply of capacitor banks as one of the main achievements of the manufacturing division. The implementation of a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (Boot) project at PDO for water desalination units was also a significant development.

The manufacturing division expects to increase turnover by concentrating more on RO plants, capacitors banks, control panels and steel structures while also upgrading facilities to achieve the targeted production and manufacture new items for which it has already been licensed. "The existing site is inadequate for an expansion, so additional land will have to be acquired. We're looking for tie-ups in valves for the water, oil and gas sectors," said Ravi.

"We are committed to retaining our position as a leading equipment and plant manufacturer in Oman by meeting long-term growth in the power, water and hydrocarbon sectors by providing reliable products that conform to contractual and regulatory requirements and meet with good engineering practices."