Muscat: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals says ongoing investments in renewable energy, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable resource management are helping shape a low-carbon future in line with Oman Vision 2040.

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals is implementing a range of initiatives designed to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, while strengthening the country’s position as a regional leader in clean energy and emissions reduction.

Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Anbouri, Director General of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production at the Ministry, said the ministry continues to support the adoption of advanced technologies that improve oil recovery while reducing environmental impact.

Among the key projects is Petroleum Development Oman’s pilot initiative at the Zalima field, which uses carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery operations. The project enables the extraction of oil trapped in microscopic rock formations while simultaneously promoting carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies. Dr. Al-Anbouri described the project as a successful example of integrating economic development with environmental sustainability.

The ministry is also driving investment in renewable energy through supportive legislation and investment opportunities. Two major wind power projects, Wind 1 and Wind 2, are currently under development with a combined production capacity of 200 megawatts. The projects have reached around 42 per cent completion and are expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year in Concession Area No. 6, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 740,000 tonnes annually.

In addition, a 100-megawatt photovoltaic solar project in the northern part of Concession Area No. 6 has reached 51 per cent completion and is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2026. The project is projected to reduce more than 220,000 tonnes of emissions each year.

The ministry is also promoting sustainable water management solutions. The Nimr Wetland Project, which naturally treats produced water using reed-bed technology, processes up to 175,000 cubic metres of water daily while reducing emissions by 113,000 tonnes annually. The site has also evolved into a thriving habitat supporting more than 140 species of birds and animals.

Meanwhile, the Rima Water Treatment Plant, operational since 2022, uses biological treatment processes to handle around 40,000 cubic metres of water per day. The facility saves up to 10 megawatts of energy and cuts annual emissions by approximately 48,000 tonnes.

Several renewable energy projects are already delivering results. The Amin Solar Power Plant, commissioned in 2020 with a capacity of 100 megawatts, has reduced more than 1.1 million tonnes of carbon emissions to date. The Miraah solar steam generation project continues to support enhanced oil recovery using clean energy sources.

Other initiatives include the Dhia project in Al Jazirah, which promotes solar energy use in public buildings and raises community awareness of renewable energy, as well as the Mina Al Fahal solar parking project, whose third phase is expected to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 1,800 tonnes annually.

Petroleum Development Oman has also raised its target to source 30 per cent of the energy used in its operations from renewable resources by 2026.

The ministry highlighted that Oman’s National Net Zero Strategy 2050 targets a 33 per cent reduction in overall emissions by 2035 compared to 2024 levels. Of this, 7 per cent represents committed reductions, while the remaining 26 per cent depends on access to funding, technology and international support.

Within the oil and gas sector specifically, emissions are targeted to be reduced by up to 48 per cent by 2035, including 10 per cent through committed measures and 38 per cent through conditional initiatives.

Oman is also pursuing its goal of eliminating routine gas flaring by improving gas recovery systems and reusing associated gas instead of burning it. Operating companies have already achieved a 50 per cent reduction in routine flaring rates at several locations through infrastructure upgrades and enhanced gas utilisation, supporting the country’s commitment to end routine flaring by 2030.

Further strengthening its sustainability agenda, Oman has adopted a regulatory framework for carbon markets that will govern the trading, buying and selling of carbon credits.