Google – Energy Dome partnership to spur Oman's clean energy goals
Tech giant Google's recent strategic partnership with Italian energy storage firm Energy Dome holds promising implications for the Sultanate of Oman's clean energy ambitions, according to the company's local technology partner, Takhzeen Oman.
Last month, Google — the search engine division of Alphabet Inc — announced an equity investment and global partnership with Energy Dome, focusing on its long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions.
Energy Dome has developed a novel energy storage system that uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) contained within a distinctive dome-shaped structure. During periods of excess renewable energy on the grid, the system uses surplus electricity to compress CO₂ gas into a liquid state.
When the demand for clean power rises, the liquid CO₂ is allowed to expand back into a hot, pressurized gas, generating a powerful force — much like steam escaping a pressure cooker. This force spins a turbine to produce zero-emission electricity, which can be supplied to the grid for durations ranging from 8 to 24 hours.
Significantly, the Omani government—represented by sovereign wealth fund Oman Investment Authority (OIA)—has been an early supporter of Energy Dome and its storage technology.
Three years ago, OIA's venture capital arm, IDO Investments, was among several international entities that participated in a funding round to support the company. Additionally, an MoU signed between OIA and Energy Dome aims to explore potential collaboration opportunities in Oman—a step that led to the establishment of Takhzeen Oman as the Italian firm's local technology partner.
In remarks to the Observer, Takhzeen Oman's Managing Director, Eng Nawaf al Balushi, welcomed the partnership announcement. 'Takhzeen Oman proudly congratulates its technology partner, Energy Dome, on achieving a significant global milestone through a strategic partnership and investment from Google to advance long-duration energy storage solutions. As the local partner of Energy Dome in the Sultanate of Oman, Takhzeen views this development as a major endorsement of the CO₂ Battery—a breakthrough in long-duration energy storage that combines innovation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Google's decision to both partner with and invest in Energy Dome validates the growing global confidence in this technology to play a key role in supporting the transition to net-zero.'
The partnership, he further noted, has the potential to bolster global momentum around long-duration storage as a critical enabler of renewable energy integration.
'For Oman, it presents exciting prospects as Takhzeen works to bring this innovative solution to the region, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the nation's ambitious clean energy goals. We are proud to represent Energy Dome in Oman. It underscores the importance of localized, forward-looking partnerships in delivering real climate solutions. Together, we are committed to transforming the energy landscape in Oman and beyond.'
The collaboration between Takhzeen Oman and Energy Dome is set to play a pivotal role in developing Oman's first large-scale, long-duration energy storage project—supporting the country's rising electricity demand while enhancing grid reliability and sustainability, Eng Al Balushi added.
During a visit to Muscat earlier this year, Energy Dome officials revealed that the company's partnership with Takhzeen Oman will help deliver a 'hybrid project' that combines solar power generation with CO₂ battery storage. Green electricity from the adjacent solar power plant will charge the battery during the day, with the stored energy discharged at night or during peak-pricing hours when grid supply is limited.
As the technology provider, Energy Dome will deliver the full battery storage plant for the Oman project. Takhzeen Oman, for its part, will handle the plant's installation and will own and operate it for a period of 30 years. The green electricity generated by the project will be sold to an offtaker.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Tamkeen & Sumo exhibition backs SME growth in Dhofar
Salalah – More than 75 small and medium enterprises from sectors including tourism, retail, food and beverage, and handicrafts are taking part in an exhibition called 'Tamkeen & Sumo', which opened in Salalah on Tuesday evening. Organised by the SME Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), the exhibition at Atina Land opened under the patronage of H H Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini al Said, Assistant Secretary-General for Conferences in Council of Ministers. The event will run till August 20. Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of OCCI, said the exhibition 'goes beyond a promotional platform' and offers 'a space for engagement and partnership building between SMEs and business sectors'. He added that Tamkeen & Sumo reflects the chamber's efforts to support SMEs as a core part of the national economy in line with Oman Vision 2040. 'Through this exhibition, we aim to enable SMEs to access new markets, explore cooperation and investment opportunities, and engage in knowledge exchange with entrepreneurs and support entities.' Sheikh Ahmed bin Amer al Musalhi, Chairman of the SME Committee, described the exhibition as 'an opportunity to promote SME products and services and boost their competitiveness in the local market'. He stressed that building business relations with private sector institutions is a key goal. 'We continue working to enhance SME participation in events and exhibitions, believing in their role in economic development, job creation and knowledge transfer,' he said. On the sidelines of the exhibition, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between OCCI's Social Investment Centre and the Business Development Centre, which owns the 'Hissaty' platform. The agreement aims to develop social investment tools that empower SME owners and align with Oman Vision 2040. According to organisers, the agreement is a strategic step towards fostering a culture of social investment within the business environment. The exhibition includes dedicated sections such as Entrepreneurs' Corner, Innovation Corner, Handicraft Workshops Corner and Junior Entrepreneur Corner. The latter showcases children's talent. It also features the Sohar International Competition to highlight brand identity and encourage creativity and excellence.
Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
65% Omanis in private sector earn less than RO600
Muscat – Omani nationals employed in the government sector continue to earn significantly higher wages compared to their counterparts in the private sector, according to 2024 data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Out of 740,877 Omanis insured in 2024, 392,011 work in the government and 348,866 are in the private sector. Despite this near-even split, a stark contrast emerges in wage distribution. The private sector has a heavy concentration of Omanis in the lowest wage brackets. A total of 138,632 private sector employees earn between RO325 and RO400 monthly, representing nearly 40% of all Omanis in the private sector. In contrast, 5,077 government employees fall within this bracket, which is 1.3% of all those employed in the government sector. The disparity persists across other low-income bands. A total of 47,713 private sector employees earn RO400-RO500, compared to 11,047 in government. In the RO500-RO600 bracket, 40,387 are in private jobs versus 30,090 in government. Combined, more than 65% Omanis in the private sector earn less than RO600, whereas less than 12% government employees fall into this category. At the higher end of the wage spectrum, the imbalance is reversed. In the RO2,000 to RO2,500 range, 4,987 are government compared to 7,797 private sector employees. Among those earning RO2,500 or more, 16,172 are in the private sector while 5,689 are in government. This suggests a narrowing gap at the very top but a broader divide across the lower and middle wage tiers. Gender disparities are also evident. Of the total 740,877 Omanis insured, 215,671 are women and 525,206 are men. Male employees dominate all income categories, especially the higher wage brackets. Sector-wise, Omanis in the private sector are spread across different fields. The construction sector employs the largest number of Omanis – 76,573 – followed by manufacturing (57,627), wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (56,543), agriculture and fisheries (47,929), and transport and storage (47,428) making the top five sectors employing citizens. For expatriates, the construction sector is the largest employer (439,924), followed by wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (277,247), those employed by households (272,542), manufacturing (183,134) and administrative and support services (134,275), making the top five sectors employing expatriate workers.
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Ministry of Labour hosts Salalah's business leaders
SALALAH: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) hosted a meeting of Dhofar Governorate's business leaders at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah on Wednesday. The forum, held with the participation of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, focused on labour market challenges. Addressing the event, Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, pointed to the current efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Labour to enhance the development of labour market tools. He highlighted the support extended to private sector institutions and the facilities available to establishments. He also referred to the Labour Law and the regulations governing the labour market, which aim to ensure stability and keep pace with the progress witnessed in the global market. Dr Baowain explained during the meeting — held as part of the activities of the Labour Forum 2025 — that the current circumstances call for accelerating the pace of work. This is due to the challenges and tremendous advancements taking place, which serve the interests of the markets and support human resources. He emphasised that human capital is the true driver of development and progress. In this context, he pointed to employment initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Labour in genuine partnership with the private sector. The official also stressed the importance of the role of the private sector in Dhofar Governorate, which is growing at a rapid pace, particularly in the tourism field. He noted the governorate's role in strengthening the labour sector and the efforts made by small and medium enterprises and their national workforces in the establishments and companies of the private sector. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of intensifying attention to entrepreneurial projects related to artificial intelligence and innovation, as well as supporting training programmes. The meeting witnessed a discussion of the challenges facing business owners, particularly in the small and medium enterprises sector; and ways to simplify procedures to benefit from the facilities available to them to establish new projects and mechanisms for their development. Omanisation in certain activities, as well as the means of developing the Omani labour market, were also discussed.
