Renaissance has been awarded Muscat Electricity and Distribution Company’s (MEDC) smart meter rollout contract. The RO9.3 million (US$24.2 million) three-year contract commencing January 1, 2022, includes installing 400,000-plus smart meters across all three MEDC zones.
Renaissance bagged the project based on the efficiency of its technical and commercial solutions as well as high KPI achievement in Zone 1 (Muscat, Muttrah, Amerat and Quriyat) where it currently carries out manual meter reading for MEDC. The new contract adds MEDC’s Zone 2 (Bausher) and Zone 3 (Seeb) to the project which involves automation, knowledge transfer, efficiency, and upskilling of Omani cadres.
The agreement was signed on December 16 th by Salman Ali Al Hattali, Chief Executive Officer – Acting, MEDC and Stephen R Thomas, CEO, Renaissance. Stephen Thomas said, “This agreement builds on the existing strong relationship with MEDC, a strategically important and valued client partner for Renaissance. The project is much more than automation. By hiring and upskilling Omani cadres, it also contributes towards capacity-building and Omanisation goals. Renaissance being chosen over other strong and experienced contenders is testimony to its successful track record in executing technical contracts efficiently and sustainably.“
Renaissance will deploy 134 Omanis to carry out the work. In addition to 53 of its current staff from Zone 1, the company will welcome 81 more staff for Zones 2 and 3. These staff members will be upskilled from meter reading to smart meter installation and connection and continue to receive further training. They will remain employed by Renaissance, either for similar programmes introduced by other distribution companies or as part of its expanding facilities management and hard services team. Renaissance’s technical partner for the project, Tata Power (India) will provide in-country project management and capability-building expertise along with around 40 technicians to train the Omani team to install, connect and troubleshoot the meters.
