China's Shanxi Installation Group has secured the estimated $222m engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the 500MW Al Kamil I Solar Independent Power Project (IPP) in Oman.

In a filing on the Hong Kong stock exchange, the company said the deal marks its first major project in the Middle East.

The contract covers the engineering, procurement, construction, grid connection, testing and commissioning of the utility-scale solar photovoltaic plant, as well as 2.5 years of operation and maintenance.

A consortium comprising France's EDF Power Solutions, Oman National Engineering & Investment Company (ONEIC) and OQ Alternative Energy signed the power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project in June with Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP).

Nama PWP is the sole procurer of new electricity generation capacity in Oman.

The Al Kamil I solar IPP is EDF Power Solutions' third renewable energy project in Oman, following the 500MW Manah 1 solar PV IPP and the 120MW JBB wind IPP.

As previously reported, the Al Kamil I project is part of Nama PWP's renewable energy development pipeline, which also includes the 400MW Sinaw and 280MW Marsa solar IPPs.

Nama PWP is currently tendering supervisory services for the Marsa IPP with a bid submission deadline of 26 July.

The pipeline also comprises the 800MW Mahout and 300MW Duqm 2 wind IPPs, both targeted for commissioning between 2027 and 2029.