Economic analysis of hybrid power system for rural electrification in Oman

Hybrid renewable energy systems are becoming attractive for remote areas power generation applications due to advances in renewable energy technologies and increase in the oil price. This paper presents a feasibility study of wind penetration into an existing diesel power plant of an isolated Duqum area in the Sultanate of Oman. Wind data from Al Duqum meteorology station and the actual load data from Duqum have been used in the simulation model. HOMER software has been used to perform the study for the hybrid system with no battery storage. For wind speed less than 5 m/s the existing diesel plant seems to be is the only feasible solution over the range of fuel prices used in the simulation. Moreover, the proposed hybrid system becomes feasible at wind speeds of more than 6 m/s and a diesel cost of 0.368 US $/L or more, which is the current diesel cost in Duqm.