The bidding logic of the new energy market in the Middle East has undergone significant changes. Oman has introduced new bidding scoring rules, significantly increasing the weight of localization indicators. Quotation is no longer a core competitive advantage, and foreign-funded enterprises that are accustomed to going global at low prices are facing new challenges. Chinese enterprises need to adjust their overseas project layout and adapt to local policies.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Oman released the local evaluation criteria for the 2026 wind and photovoltaic power plant bidding in July. The new evaluation system completely changes the industry practice of prioritizing quotations. The localization related indicators account for a total of 45 points, while the quotation only accounts for 35 points. Simple low prices are no longer enough to support enterprises in winning projects.  

Clear scoring criteria

The localization score is divided into three major categories. Localization of labor is 18 points, and full marks can only be obtained when the proportion of local employees in the management reaches 15 points. Local employment of skilled workers can earn additional points, and the lack of local training programs will result in direct deduction of points. Localization of the industrial chain earns 20 points, and the higher the proportion of local component procurement, the higher the score. Landing assembly plants and R&D centers can earn a full basic score. The remaining 7 points are based on long-term industry commitments, covering topics such as local subcontracting technology transfer for internship positions. Even if the enterprise quotation has a 10% price advantage, the shortcomings of the localization plan will still widen the overall score gap. All government funded new energy projects are required to comply with this standard, helping Oman break away from a single oil economy.

New challenges for Chinese enterprises going global

At present, Oman's local new energy manufacturing and skilled worker reserves are insufficient, and a high proportion of local procurement will compress the short-term profits of the project. Establishing a complete local training system also requires long-term preparation in advance. The previous bidding model of low-priced complete sets of equipment plus Chinese operation and maintenance is no longer applicable, and many leading domestic enterprises have failed in the early bidding process. Keywords: New energy bidding, overseas photovoltaic and wind power

Industry enterprises need to change their bidding ideas, connect with local manufacturers in advance, establish a local talent training system, commit to landing supporting industries, and seize opportunities in the Middle East new energy market by improving localization plans.Editor/Min Jing