Power supply firms in Oman have been urged to improve the efficiency of their distribution and supply systems, aimed at cutting system losses to nine per cent by 2017, it has been reported.

The target, set by the Authority for Electricity Regulation, specifically applies to the three principal distribution companies (Muscat Electricity Distribution Company, Majan Electricity Company, and Mazoon Electricity Company), that together make up the main interconnected system (MIS) covering much of the northern half of the sultanate, according to the Oman Daily Observer report.  

Technical and non-technical losses reported across the MIS amounted to 11.6 per cent of total electricity supply in 2014, the report said.

Taking into account technical and non-technical losses reported in the Salalah system, supplying Dhofar Governorate, as well as across the Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco), covering areas that fall outside of the MIS and Salalah grids, system losses amounted to 11.5 per cent of total units that entered electricity systems in the sultanate in 2014, representing an improvement over the losses of 12.7 per cent recorded in 2013, said the 2014 annual report.

The Salalah grid reduced system losses to 12.2 per cent in 2014, down from 14.1 per cent in 2013. The best performer was Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco), which slashed system losses to 9.2 per cent in 2014, down from 10.8 per cent a year earlier, the report said.