The first phase of solar parking shades at Sultan Qaboos University, College of Engineering, with an annual capacity of about 110 Mwh and funded by JACOBS Company, was inaugurated on 8 May 2018. Prof. Ali Huwaishal Al-Shuaili, SQU Deputy V.C. for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Prof. Amer Ali Al-Rawas, SQU Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Community Service, Mr. David Zelinski, Senior Vice President, Energy & Chemicals, Jacobs Co. Prof. Hadj Bourdoucen, Dean of the College of Engineering, Eng. Abdullah Al-Saidi, CEO of Nafath Energy, the company that is executing the project, and the project members were present on the occasion.
Sultan Qaboos University gives a great importance to the development of scientific research in measurement, utilization and applications of various sources of renewable energy because of its importance in the present and future of the Sultanate. On the other hand, the University, as an academic institution and a house of expertise in the Sultanate is always seeking for a continuous and wide contribution to the national development, including the search for new energy resources and alternatives for the economic development.
In addition to this, and in terms of partnership and cooperation with various relevant sectors both inside and outside the Sultanate, the University is paying special attention to international cooperation with scientific, research and industrial institutions. Hence, the establishment of cooperation with Jacobs Company was done to sponsor this project to construct the shaded parking for the College of Engineering. The number of parking lots is 90 for the two phases. In the first phase, the 50% of the number were completed with an expected annual production capacity of more than 110 Mwh.
The second phase is anticipated to start soon for the other 45 parking lots. It is worth noting that, in addition to its contribution in raising the awareness of SQU students about the importance of renewable energies and their development in the Sultanate, this project will also contribute significantly to support the educational, research and development process of renewable energies in the College of Engineering.
In addition to David Zelinski, Senior Vice President Middle East & Europe, Loay Battash, HR & ICV Country Manager, Chris Pettit, Project Director, Patrick Tranter, Deputy Project Director, Huda Hadrami, Project Office Manager and Alan Gaine, Business Development Director attended the opening ceremony representing the JACOBS Company. David Zelinski hoped that the project would offer tremendous benefit to the university, its students, graduates and the citizens of the country. “The project has utilized in-country value strategy in its implementation and hence reinforces Jacobs’ commitment to the Omani people. We are proud that the first phase of the project was finished on time and within the budget”, he said.
The number of parking lots is 90 for the two phases. In the first phase, the 50% of the number were completed with an expected annual production capacity of more than 110 Mwh. The construction of the second phase for another 45 parking lots, is expected to start soon. On SQU side, the team members of this this project include Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Al-Badi and Dr Rashid Said Al-Abri under the supervision of a. Prof. Abdullah Hamad Al-Badi and Prof. Hadj Bourdoucen.