Visit to Nomac, Oman

A team of eight staff members from Ibri College of Technology visited the Nomac Ibri Power Plant on Thursday, 20 February 2020. This company is the first independent power plant in the Al Dhahirah region. The plant has a capacity of generating 1509.1 MW of electricity per day with an efficiency of 58%. The company has signed contracts to start a solar power plant with a capacity of 500 MW AC and 600 MW DC power generation spanning over an area of 6 square kilometres. They are planning to use Bio facial PV model (2 sided solar panels) for the first time in Oman. Commissioning will start in August 2020.

Dr Illankumaran (HoS, Electrical and Electronics Section), Dr Sharmila Deve (Lecturer Electrical Engineering), Dr Rehna V. Jameela (Lecturer, Electronics Engineering), Mr Abid Siddique (Physics Coordinator), Mr Arthur Davis (Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering), Mr Ali Al Alawi (Head of OJT), Mr Manikandan S. (OJT Coordinator, Engineering Department) and Mr Shafi Al Shukri (Technician) were among the visiting members.

Purpose of the visit

The main purpose of the visit was to enhance interaction and maintain public relations between Ibri College of Technology and the Nomac Power Plant, and to explore opportunities for OJT and industrial visits for students along with openings for research and consultancy services.

Insights from the visit

After reaching the power plant, the HSE Engineer, Dr Mirza Muneer from the Health and Safety wing of the substation, briefed us regarding the safety rules observed in the power plant. Mr Mohammed Al Shueili, the plant manager, welcomed the visitors, gave an introductory presentation and walked us through the activities of the power plant. The team visited the heat recovery steam generator, main air compressor, RO (Reverse Osmosis) plant, DM (Demineralisation) plant, fire water pump stations, diesel and loading areas, etc. Waste management practices adopted by the plant were briefed as the plant is designed to be a zero-waste plant. The mechanism of segregating hazardous, non-hazardous and recyclable waste was also explained.

Furthermore, the following were also shown to the team:

• Gas turbines (four gas turbines, each with a capacity of 235 MW)
• Steam turbines (two steam turbines, each with a capacity of 283 MW)
• Water treatment area and FPS equipment area;
• Fuel oil unloading and pumping area;
• Gas treatment and compression area
• Black start generators area; and
• Storm water basins and evaporation ponds.

Outcome of the visit:

• The team was able to experience modern practices pertaining to generation, distribution, and maintenance of power. 
  • The plant manager stated that:
  • The requirements of both institutions can be met by a collaborative mechanism which will help to strengthen the relationship between Ibri College of Technology and Ibri Power Plant. 
  • As a part of corporate social responsibility, they are ready to extend support to Ibri College of Technology to train our students and minimise the gap between industry and academia.
  • There was only one student who did OJT last year in Nomac. From July 2020, they plan to accommodate more OJT students. They have promised to contact Ibri College of Technology as soon as they are ready for OJT.
  • Job opportunities are currently managed through the Ministry of Manpower, offering opportunities for all graduates across Oman, but preferences are given for potential local candidates from Ibri.
• The plant manager and his team at Nomac were invited for SORESA, a one-day workshop on The Scope of Renewable Energy Systems and its Applications which is organised by the Engineering Department, Ibri College of Technology on 4 March 2020.