Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and GlassPoint Solar have completed work on the first block of the 1GW Miraah solar plant in Oman.

The facility will produce 6,000 tonnes of steam daily for heavy oil production on being operational. Currently, it is delivering steam to the Amal West oilfield. 

The plant makes use of large mirrors to concentrate sunlight and boil oilfield water directly into steam. The mirrors and other system components have been installed indoors using a greenhouse structure.

The project adopts a sequenced construction plan, which involves development of each greenhouse-enclosed system as independent blocks.

PDO managing director Raoul Restucci said: “The safe and successful delivery of solar steam into our network at Amal is a significant milestone for the Miraah project and a major step towards transforming the energy landscape in Oman.

“Solar-powered oil production is a sustainable, long-term solution to meet the Sultanate’s future energy demand and utilise its natural resources most efficiently.”

The project is expected to reduce 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Construction work on the project started in 2015.