Oman accelerates green hydrogen technology localisation
Hydrom, the architect of Oman's green hydrogen sector, has reported significant progress in the localisation of technology and manufacturing capacity linked to the vast volumes of solar panels, wind turbines, electrolysers and other essential hardware needed to meet the country's ambitious green hydrogen targets.
A number of green hydrogen projects currently in early development across Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates are expected to commence operations by around 2030, contributing to Oman's goal of producing 1 million tonnes of low-carbon molecules annually by that time.
Achieving this target will require approximately 40 million solar panels and up to 3,000 wind turbines — equipment that will nearly triple the country's current grid capacity, according to Eng Abdulaziz Al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom.
'To reach our 2030 targets, we're proactively enabling this expansion by laying the necessary groundwork now. With project contracts signed for up to 47 years, the momentum is clear and investors are taking note,' Al Shidhani said in an interview with The Energy Year, a UK-based energy news platform.
The official also emphasised that technology localisation is central to Hydrom's strategy. 'We've signed MoUs with electrolyser manufacturers, including Siemens Energy and ThyssenKrupp Nucera. These partnerships support our industrial ambitions, including polysilicon production and the local manufacturing of solar panels and wind turbines. Suhar is set to host solar panel production, while Al Duqm will see wind turbine assembly'.
Over the past year, Suhar has attracted over a billion dollars in new Chinese-led investments in large-scale solar panel and module manufacturing facilities, aimed primarily at serving domestic and regional markets. Additionally, United Solar Polysilicon (FZC) SPC, an international green energy company, is making rapid progress on a $1.6 billion polysilicon plant with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per annum, located in Suhar Industrial City.
Alongside its efforts to build a robust green hydrogen production sector, Hydrom is actively supporting the development of supply chains and a broader ecosystem around the green molecule.
As part of this drive, Hydrom hosted a Green Hydrogen Ecosystem Readiness Lab last September, bringing together 58 government entities. 'We identified 26 strategic initiatives grouped into five core areas: logistics and infrastructure readiness, regulatory streamlining, technology localisation, workforce capacity building and domestic market development. These initiatives are being actively tracked and managed through our green hydrogen acceleration dashboard, gH2ad, which ensures transparency, promotes accountability and keeps all stakeholders aligned towards shared goals', Al Shidhani explained. (gH2ad refers to green hydrogen, ammonia and derivatives — including green ammonia, green methanol, synthetic fuels (e-fuels) and LOHCs or liquid organic hydrogen carriers).
Hydrom is also working closely with free zone authorities to allocate suitable plots for investments in downstream green hydrogen conversion and other value-added industries.
'We coordinate closely with free zone authorities to align policy and infrastructure. For instance, Vulcan Green Steel and others are planning green steel projects that will rely on hydrogen supply chains originating from outside the free zones', he said.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to manage the massive volumes of hardware that the green hydrogen sector will require — most of which will be imported in the early years — and ensure its seamless transport to designated sites. The Port of Duqm, which previously handled the arrival of wind turbines for Dhofar's first wind farm in 2019, will continue to serve as a gateway for such equipment.
'We've assigned ASYAD to lead logistics, focusing on three key initiatives: conducting a readiness assessment, implementing a control-tower approach to manage scheduling from port to site and coordinating with ongoing oil and gas activities. We are piloting our plan with the recently signed 100-MW PDO Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 wind farm projects in Al Duqm, allowing us to learn and adapt as needed', Al Shidhani added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
13 hours ago
- Observer
World stocks mixed on weak economic data and upbeat earnings
LONDON/SINGAPORE:World stocks were mixed Thursday, with markets mulling a raft of economic indicators including central bank rate decisions, inflation data, and last-minute trade deal negotiations ahead of US President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline. The most recent development came from the Bank of Japan, which held interest rates and increased its inflation forecast. Japan's shorter-dated bond yields rose to their highest since early April, but walked that back after the BOJ's statement. The yen was steady at 149.73 per US dollar, while the Nikkei index closed up just over 1%. Nasdaq futures gained 1.4% after better-than-expected results from Microsoft and Meta Platforms. S&P 500 futures advanced over 1%. 'Meta and Microsoft have just delivered the kind of earnings most companies can only dream of,' said Dan Coatsworth at AJ Bell. The Stoxx 600 index was steady around 1025 GMT and on track to end the month 1.6% higher. Regional banks rose over 1.5% after results from Standard Chartered and Societe Generale. MSCI's broadest index of world shares was flat, weighed by Chinese stocks. China's CSI 300 fell 1.8% and Hong Kong's index closed 1.6% lower. The Korean won gained 0.3% after Trump said the US would charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, which would invest $350 billion in US projects and purchase $100 billion in US energy. The Federal Reserve voted 9–2 to hold rates steady. The dollar index steadied at 98.718. US GDP growth beat expectations, but data showed an economy losing steam under Trump's trade policies.— Reuters
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
University of Bristol gets UGC approval to open campus in Mumbai by 2026
New Delhi: The University of Bristol has received approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish its first international campus in Mumbai, which is set to open in the summer of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the UK-India education corridor, the British High Commission in India announced on Tuesday. In a post on X, the British High Commission in India stated that the university would be offering its globally acclaimed programs in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, fintech, and more to Indian students. "Big news from the UK-India education corridor! The University of Bristol is set to open a comprehensive campus in Mumbai. Approved by UGC, the campus will bring the university's world-renowned academic offerings spanning AI, data science, fintech, and more to India students," the British High Commission said in the post. The Deputy High Commissioner of the UK to India, Christina Scott, expressed her enthusiasm about the development, stating, "We are very excited, as today the University of Bristol has received the letter of intent from the University Grants Commission. The University of Bristol is the 7th British university to get permission to open a campus in India... We are very excited that they will be opening soon next year in Mumbai." She stated that the approval, granted on the 5-year anniversary of the National Education Policy (2020), would help deepen the UK's engagement with India in terms of education, providing transnational education models that blend academic experiences in both countries. "Today, we are celebrating 5 years of the National Education Policy, and it speaks to the quality of young people in India and British universities recognise the country's potential and the appetite of young Indians to learn, making them keen to be here and work with them to help them grow into the leaders they aspire to be," Scott stated. "We have a lot of British universities that want to do more with India. Some are thinking about putting in applications, or some who the University Grants Commission is considering. We also have numerous universities eager to attract Indian students to the UK for study, as well as those offering transnational education, which combines elements of both India and the UK. Those are really all very exciting opportunities," she added. According to a press release from the University of Bristol, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will serve as a hub for collaboration among industry leaders, academics, students, and local community partners, fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment. The campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in key areas where the University of Bristol excels globally, such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts, and fintech. "Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and local community partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Initial subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate level will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol, such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts and financial technology, expanding to computer science and AI, business and management," the release stated.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Renowned economist Meghnad Desai passes away at 85; PM Modi condoles his demise
New Delhi : Distinguished Indian-origin economist, author, and member of the UK House of Lords, Lord Meghnad Desai, passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of condolences from across the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron. Born as Meghnad Jagdishchandra Desai in 1940 in Vadodara, the economist began his academic journey in economics at the University of Mumbai, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, following which he received a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, completing his PhD in economics in 1963, three years after enrolling. Following the news of his demise, PM Modi expressed grief and recalled his valuable contributions to economic thought and India-UK relations. "Anguished by the passing away of Shri Meghnad Desai Ji, a distinguished thinker, writer and economist. He always remained connected to India and Indian culture. He also played a role in deepening India-UK ties. Will fondly recall our discussions, where he shared his valuable insights. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," PM Modi stated in a post on X. The British High Commissioner to India also expressed her condolences over Desai's demise, stating, "RIP Lord Desai. Thoughts with Kishwar Desai and his wider family and friends. Such fond memories of watching the UK general election with him last year," in a post on X. "So sad to learn Lord Meghnad Desai passed away in Delhi this evening. First Indian Labour Party Peer, Professor Emeritus LSE, renowned economist and author. A passionate advocate for UK-India links. Thoughts of all UK in India with his wife Lady Kishwar and their children," the Deputy High Commissioner of the UK to India, Christina Scott, stated in a post on X. The High Commission of India in London also paid tribute to Desai, noting that he had championed the strong and lasting ties between India and the UK and that his contributions would continue to inspire diplomats, academics, and thought leaders in both nations. "The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened by the passing of Lord Meghnad Desai. A teacher, scholar, thought leader and great advocate of the enduring friendship between India and the UK. Lord Desai's work will be cherished by generations of diplomats, scholars and thought leaders in both countries. His role in the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Parliament Square in London ensures that his legacy will endure," the High Commission of India in London stated in a post on X. Desai was elevated to the UK House of Lords in 1991, where he served as the first Indian-origin peer from the Labour Party. He held the title of Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics (LSE) and was widely respected for his academic contributions and public policy insights.
