
Oman: Muscat to host global energy regulators' meet for first time in ME
Organised by Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), the event will take place in Muscat on May 5 and 6. More than 250 international experts, representatives of ERRA member organisations, academics and specialists from within and outside Oman are expected to attend.
ERRA is an international organisation that promotes regulatory excellence in the energy sector. It comprises 47 member organisations from 43 countries across five continents and plays a key role in strengthening regulatory frameworks and institutional performance globally.
The conference comes as Oman accelerates its transition towards renewable energy and sustainable development. It also marks 20 years since the restructuring of the country's electricity sector and establishment of APSR.
Dr Mansour Talib al Hinai, Chairman of APSR, said the event is an opportunity to highlight Oman's efforts to promote clean energy and enhance its investment climate. 'This initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises sustainability, innovation and energy diversification,' he said.
Hinai added that the conference would serve as 'a high-level international platform for exchanging expertise and discussing the latest developments in energy regulation'. It will also 'enhance cooperation between member states and position the sultanate as a regional leader working towards a sustainable, innovation-driven economy'.
The two-day event will include dialogue sessions, workshops and bilateral meetings focused on improving regulatory systems, attracting renewable energy investment and assessing the impact of emerging technologies on the energy sector.
Hosting the ERRA conference reflects Oman's commitment to building a resilient, knowledge-based economy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Oman: Razat Farm launches first dedicated agri-tourism project
SALALAH: Razat Farm in Salalah, one of the largest and most established farms in the Sultanate of Oman, has launched a pioneering educational tour programme that opens its gates to visitors to explore its crop and livestock operations and modern production techniques. The initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and aims to broaden the country's tourism offering while promoting hands-on learning. The two-hour programme includes a 30-minute bus segment accompanied by specialist guides who explain each stop along the route and answer questions as well. The experience begins at a dedicated reception area, where visitors complete entry procedures, receive safety guidance and a route map, before moving through stations covering modern farming, greenhouses, live-stock and research and innovation labs. Along the route, visitors are introduced to organic agriculture and its value chains, with highlights such as organic turmeric, alongside outlets selling fresh farm produce. The programme offers practical activities suitable for families and children, combining enjoyment with learning and positioning the farm as a platform for awareness and knowledge transfer. Bookings are available through a user-friendly website, with prices being affordable and accessible, ensuring a flexible experience for visitors during the tourism season. The site also serves as a key destination for students, researchers and agriculture enthusiasts, particularly those interested in organic farming and its applications. In a televised statement to the Al Nas wal Khareef programme on Oman TV, Mohammad bin Alawi Ibrahim, Director of Razat Farm, said: 'We are pleased to launch an educational tour that showcases our agricultural and livestock systems and modern techniques. The tour lasts two hours and includes a 30-minute bus segment with specialist guides. It starts at the reception area with safety guidance and a map of the route. We present organic farming and the varieties developed at the farm, including organic turmeric, with fresh products available at dedicated outlets. Bookings via the website are simple, prices are within everyone's reach, and we will continue to expand the route with new interactive stations, God willing.' The farm expects growing interest from domestic and international visitors in this style of agri-tourism, which is gaining traction worldwide, and says the route will be upgraded in phases to add new stations and experiences that reinforce Dhofar's position as a leading destination for sustainable tourism and applied agricultural learning. Key details Duration: Two hours (including 30 minutes by bus with specialist guides) Start point: Reception area with safety briefing and route map Booking: Via the farm's website (simple, user-friendly interface) Pricing: Affordable and accessible Target groups: Families, students, researchers and those interested in organic farming and its technologies 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
Built by Shanghai Electric, the Oman Manah-1 Solar IPP Project completes one month of operational success
MANAH, Oman /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric's (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) first solar power plant in Oman, the 500MW Oman Manah-1 Solar IPP Project (the "Project"), has completed one month of smooth operations after passing all assessments and final handover. The flagship Project under the Oman Vision 2040 national blueprint for sustainable environment and clean energy will generate 1.5 billion kWh of electricity annually, cutting CO₂ emissions by 780,000 tons per year, the equivalent of taking 170,000 gasoline-powered cars off Oman's roads. Shanghai Electric provided end-to-end solutions for the Project—from design and planning, procurement and construction to long-term operation and maintenance. The integrated strategy delivered an efficient, sustainable energy system while advancing global solar technology innovation. To overcome the policy and technical challenges, Shanghai Electric partnered with France's EDF under a unique dual-track agreement to meet Oman's strict technical requirements, adopting a "split-team" approach with Chinese engineers handling solar field design, while the Oman team led substation construction. This approach resolved conflicts between international standards and local regulations. The innovative project management split the construction into 11 directly managed sections that cut timelines by 22 percent. A real-time safety reporting app resolved 924 safety risks and achieved 4 million accident-free work hours. The dynamic scheduling kept large equipment usage at 90 percent efficiency, and cross-trained workers boosted site-to-site mobility. The planning also adopted a staffing strategy of competing teams with rolling inspections at 59 project zones. The designers worked on-site during substation construction and improved oversight efficiency by 30%, while a 20-member skilled team completed wiring and terminal work in just 72 hours to accelerate medium-voltage cable installation progress. The highly efficient coordination set a new record of grid connection, with simultaneous testing, day-night shifts, and China-Oman team collaboration ensuring seamless progress. The Project team finished 59 zones in nine days, which was 21 days ahead of schedule, with 100 percent grid success, zero equipment damage, and no worker injuries. "Shanghai Electric's solution completely changed how fast we thought solar projects could connect to the grid," said Hamood Al Shuaili, the Project director. "The team showed unmatched expertise and teamwork, they're world-class engineers setting new global standards." With China's high-voltage cable technology and upgraded piling support design, the site leveling preparation workload was reduced by 80 percent, which cut the construction timeline by 60 days. A streamlined supply chain and precise procurement planning guaranteed on-time delivery, with all equipment performance exceeding targets. Furthermore, the Project has boosted local employment, strengthened energy security, and created lasting social value. With a community-focused approach, 90 percent of operations and maintenance staff are local workers, and the core technical training programs have been integrated into Oman's vocational education system, with the aim of building skills for the future.


Zawya
13-08-2025
- Zawya
Oman's city planners target heritage, innovation balance
Muscat – Oman is advancing plans to develop smart cities that merge modern technology with traditional architecture, aiming to preserve national identity while meeting the needs of urban transformation. Officials say the approach seeks to balance heritage and innovation in line with Oman Vision 2040. Sultan Haitham City is cited as a leading example, offering a blend of modernity and privacy, while serving as a model for future development and a potential investment hub. Al Hassan bin Ali al Shakiri, architect at the Executive Office for Smart Cities Projects at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, said smart cities in Oman are 'not just infrastructure, but tools for renewing identity and improving quality of life, based on traditional Omani architecture and its understanding of the environment and social behaviour'. He noted that Omani architectural principles – such as the use of local building materials, natural ventilation through mashrabiyas, and compact layouts that create shaded pathways – can be adapted to modern urban needs. Traditional systems like falaj irrigation, mud buildings and narrow passageways provide a foundation for designs that reduce energy consumption, improve air quality and direct pedestrian flow. Shakiri said smart city development must adapt to the local environment, use resources sustainably and integrate technology in a way that serves the community before the technology itself. Dr Haitham bin Najim al Abri, an architect and researcher in Omani architecture, said the country's urban heritage reflects 'the Omanis' genius in harmonising with nature and respecting resources'. He asserted, 'Smart cities here are not copies of global models, but an extension of the genius of our ancestors, where technology nurtures identity rather than erasing it.' Abri identified challenges including the import of generic international designs, lack of digital documentation of heritage, and limited local expertise combining heritage and smart technologies. He said these could be addressed through local innovation, legislation to integrate identity into urban design, and hybrid education combining heritage knowledge with modern engineering skills. Property owner Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al Balushi said heritage values are visible in the planning of Sultan Haitham City. 'We see respect for privacy in neighbourhood designs, and spaces such as mosques, councils and parks that encourage community interaction.' The city's architecture draws from traditional motifs such as arches and engravings, while integrating smart lighting, connected green spaces and dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (