MUSCAT: Oman is adopting an ambitious plan to diversify energy sources by expanding renewable energy projects, in a way that benefits the environment and reduces carbon emissions.
Addressing a press conference, His Excellency Eng. Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals said that in the first phase, the government will allocate more than 50,000 square kilometers of land for developing hydrogen projects. “The Sultanate seeks to develop and implement studies, plans and policies to ensure optimal utilization of energy and attention to the development of renewable energy projects in various regions, to support economic diversification plans and promote sustainable energy,” Al Aufi said while launching Hydrom, a new independent wholly owned subsidiary company of the Energy Development Oman.
Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Shaidani, Director-General of the General Directorate of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, added: “Of the 900 projects in the hydrogen sector that have been announced (globally), less than 1% have reached the stage of final investment, decision or implementation.”
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In his presentation, Al Shaidani explained that the cumulative volume of investments in the green hydrogen sector in the Sultanate is estimated at OMR 54 billion ($140 billion).
The list of targeted projects includes solar panels, wind turbines, electrolysis units, and projects to generate electricity from renewable energy
The Sultanate has set a policy for the transition to alternative energy as part of the “Oman 2040 Vision” to reach an average of 39 percent of the total energy supplied by 2040.
