As part of its commitment to a greener and more sustainable future, Oman has secured firm commitments of $30 billion in green hydrogen projects.
Spearheaded by Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), the country is embarking on an ambitious task of establishing a robust common-use infrastructure that will serve as the backbone for these multibillion-dollar ventures. This strategic move is expected to revolutionize Oman’s energy landscape, attract foreign direct investment, and pave the way for a thriving green hydrogen industry.
Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), an independent entity and a subsidiary of Energy Development Oman (EDO), has taken the lead in planning and masterminding Oman’s green hydrogen industry. Working collaboratively with developers, specialized local, and international utility service providers, Hydrom is focused on providing utility corridors critical for the successful and cost-competitive operation of the forthcoming mega projects.
The ambitious common-use infrastructure includes pipelines for transporting ultrapure desalinated water for electricity, potable water, wastewater, and potential hydrogen gas. Additionally, the infrastructure entails electrical networks, specialized storage capacity for hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, among other components. This comprehensive infrastructure network is vital for enabling the development and functioning of green hydrogen projects.
Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, highlighted the strategic importance of the common-use infrastructure. Hydrom is working in collaboration with OQ Gas Network, Nama Group for electricity and water, and other Oman Investment Authority utility service companies to expedite the development of the essential infrastructure needed for the initial green hydrogen projects and future initiatives.
The development of the common-use infrastructure is planned to span 6 to 7 years, aiming to be completed by 2030, coinciding with the anticipated commercial operation of the green hydrogen projects. Hydrom is committed to delivering on promises by leveraging the technical expertise and project execution capabilities of national champions and exploring international partnerships.
Hydrom has engaged with key stakeholders through a strategic workshop to explore optimal configurations for the common-use infrastructure. The objective is to attract foreign direct investment while maximizing in-country value, ensuring the infrastructure meets the specific requirements of the project developers.
Notably, Oman’s national champions, including OQ Gas Networks, Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), and Nama Water, are actively participating in the green hydrogen space as part of their growth strategies. Besides developing utilities within the envisioned hydrogen clusters deep within Oman, these champions will establish connectivity with industrial hubs and export terminals along the coast.
Hydrom is also coordinating with the country’s main ports at Salalah, Duqm, and Suhar to ensure alignment with Oman’s broader strategy for the green hydrogen economy. The integration of these key ports will play a crucial role in facilitating trade and export opportunities for the burgeoning green hydrogen sector.
