Operational trials of a new spot market for electricity trading -- a first in the GCC region -- are scheduled to begin in the Sultanate in 2019, according to Oman's top power and water utility. The initiative, which aims to drive efficiency and competition in the electricity sector, is set to cement the Sultanate's credentials as a regional trailblazer in the liberalisation and privatisation of the power industry. While capacity development underpinned by long-term power purchase agreements will continue, OPWP expects the spot market to provide a parallel route for capacity procurement,it added. Longer-term, spot market is expected to open the way for energy trading with other countries of the GCC via the power interconnects with member states. (Oman Observer)