The Oman Center for Sustainability was established, and the Ministry of Energy and Minerals held a press conference to announce the opening of opportunities and incentives for investment in the green hydrogen sector, the official launch of Oman’s hydrogen company, the procedures for allocating investment sites, and the specifics of the ambitious goals for the Sultanate of Oman’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050.
“The adoption of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, in 2050, to achieve zero carbon neutrality and establish the Oman Sustainability Center, based on the outputs of the Carbon Management Laboratory, is an important and positive step towards achieving carbon neutrality, which will contribute to diversifying sources of income and creating opportunities for the people of Oman,” said His Excellency Engineer Salem bin Nasser Al-Awfi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.
According to His Excellency the Engineer, “We have taken significant steps towards accelerating the processes for regulating the hydrogen sector, setting the legal frameworks and policies necessary for its growth, designating suitable sites for its production in order to attract investments, working to localize this technology, and preparing the necessary studies for it, in line with global transformations towards reducing carbon emissions. We also announce today the opening of opportunities and incentives for investment in the hydrogen sector because hydrogen has numerous applications that help to diversify energy sources, cut carbon emissions, and spur economic growth. Our ambitious plans aim to produce one million tons of hydrogen by 2030.
“We aspire to be a global hub for hydrogen production, dependent on the existence of its primary constituents, namely solar energy, wind energy, extended lands, and human cadres,” His Excellency the Engineer continued. Its efforts in this area, along with its global connections, will help it realize its goals of becoming a significant global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen.
“Today, we are pleased to announce the official launch of Hydrome, an independent company wholly owned by Energy Development Oman, which is overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and which will work to accelerate efforts to develop the green hydrogen industry in the Sultanate of Oman and reduce carbon emissions to achieve the goals of Zero carbon neutrality,” added His Excellency the Minister.
The Oman 2040 Vision Follow-up Unit’s Head of Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Priority Support, Eng. Faiza bint Mohammed Al Harthy, emphasized: “The vision is to create an effective, balanced, and flexible system to protect and sustain Oman’s natural resources in support of the national economy. This will be accomplished by establishing objectives, a system of measurement, and a process for monitoring programs and projects that contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
A few weeks prior to the 27th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in the Arab Republic of Egypt, which the Sultanate of Oman is slated to attend, these latest, ambitious sustainability efforts will be launched.
The Sultanate of Oman wants to be a global leader in the production of green hydrogen, according to Eng. Abdulaziz bin Saeed Al Shethani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has established the green hydrogen sector’s organizational framework since learning about the creation of an ambitious green hydrogen plan a few months ago. The growth of the green hydrogen economy offers Omani and foreign businesses a strategic chance to collaborate and take part in promoting energy security at the local and international levels, achieving economic diversification, and, most importantly, reducing the adverse consequences of climate change.
The government has created Hydrum, an independent, fully-owned subsidiary of Oman Energy Development Company SAOC that will spearhead the ambitious green hydrogen strategy. Hydrom will be governed by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. In order to begin hydrogen production in 2030, the land must be allocated for major green hydrogen projects in 2023, and their allocation processes must be managed for developers. In addition, the General Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones must assist in the development of shared infrastructure, industries, and centers.
Energy Development Oman CEO Mazen bin Rashid Al Lamki stated: “We are pleased to announce the new brand identity of Hydrome, an independent wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Development Oman. By aligning its business program with the ambitious plans of the government, Hydro will take advantage of the abundance of solar and wind energy resources in the Sultanate of Oman to produce green hydrogen and support government efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carb reduction targets.
“We at Hydrome look forward to collaborating with worldwide partners to contribute to developing the future of energy,” stated Dr. Firas bin Ali Al Abdawani, acting CEO of Hydrome. The world’s first-of-its-kind bidding round was announced today, and we are convinced that it will speed up efforts to establish the green hydrogen sector in the Sultanate of Oman and around the globe.
As it worked to identify the targeted green hydrogen investment areas in coordination with the relevant authorities and related parties to prepare the first package for offering to investors, which will be announced in November, the ministry announced through the press conference the launch of opportunities and incentives to invest in the hydrogen sector.
As the Ministry stated during the conference, a vision was started to establish a national energy database and to employ the information provided by existing and future field surveys and studies to support energy policies, plans, and projects. Preparations for carrying out topographical and social studies, studies of energy storage options, and defining the necessary future studies were made in this regard.
In order to inform them of all relevant information regarding investment opportunities in the sector and to get them ready for the investment opportunities that will be presented, the journalist reported on receiving investor registration requests in the hydrogen sector and investment procedures in the sites.
It was finished and sent to the Ministry for the Sultanate of Oman’s hydrogen economy. In a deliberate and coordinated effort with relevant parties, such as government agencies and specialized businesses, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals is aiming to establish a robust, clean, and green hydrogen economy. efforts to grow the hydrogen and renewable energy industries, as well as the introduction of a program from which specialized tracks emerge and a governance mechanism to guarantee efficient sector planning and execution.
The Ministry also focuses on supporting In-Country Value policies, localizing linked sectors, enabling strategic studies, research and development, developing national capacities, raising public awareness of clean energy, and any other supplemental policies. In order to achieve a set of strategic objectives, namely:
Collaboration and partnership
As it works and coordinates through alliances or joint work teams in a number of government agencies, oil and gas operators, educational and research institutions, as well as ports, the Sultanate of Oman realizes that the partnership is necessary to achieve its goal in this sector and to establish the Sultanate of Oman’s position on the map of developing clean hydrogen production and use. Together, they will advance technology for creating and using clean hydrogen in line with the Oman 2040 vision’s plans for energy diversification. They will also support and facilitate the production, export, and use of clean hydrogen locally. Working on investments, technology, policies, and knowledge at all phases, as well as promoting clean hydrogen The cooperation will help Oman successfully transition to a green economy by supporting the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and secure its national energy supply.
