Vale signs agreement with OQAE to advance decarbonization of its Oman operations
Muscat – As part of its strategy to decarbonize its operations in Oman and transition its industrial energy use to renewable sources, Vale in Oman has signed a Head of Agreement (HOA) with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) during Oman Sustainability Week. The agreement establishes a framework for developing renewable energy solutions to power Vale's pelletizing plant in Sohar Port as well as support future energy needs for the upcoming Green Metallic Mega Hub in Duqm.
The agreement outlines the direction for future project development by establishing clear areas of cooperation related to energy supply, land coordination and long-term planning, all aimed at enabling the integration of renewable energy into Vale's operations.
Saleh Al Muslahi, Chief Executive of Mega Hubs-Middle East and North Africa, said: 'Achieving large-scale decarbonization demands more than ambitions, it requires strategic planning, strong partnerships, and reliable access to sustainable energy. Our agreement with OQAE embodies this approach. By aligning on demand aggregation, infrastructure readiness, and long-term supply models, we are creating the critical conditions to advance our transition in Sohar and unlock the potential of our future mega hub in Duqm.'
Najla Zuhair Al Jamali, Chief Executive of OQ Alternative Energy said, 'Our collaboration with Vale reflects OQAE's commitment to enabling the industrial sector's transition to clean energy. This agreement goes beyond decarbonizing a single site — it lays the foundation for a new model of sustainable industrial development in Oman, powered by renewables. Together, we are shaping a future where energy innovation drives national growth and global climate progress.'
Vale's ambition is to help decarbonize the mining industry and support the transition to net-zero steelmaking in the long term. Stemming from its belief that energy transition is a great growth engine, the company has made public commitments to reduce its environmental footprint by investing in cleaner technologies, improving operational efficiency, and adopting advanced emissions control systems. In Oman, this ambition is being translated into action through the company's commitment to transition its pelletizing plant in Sohar to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 as well as the establishment of a large-scale industrial complex in Duqm designed to produce high-quality agglomerated products that enable lower-carbon steel production for both local and global markets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economy ME
13 hours ago
- Economy ME
Oman unveils 2025 tourism plan to boost recreational offerings, elevate non-oil sector growth
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman is executing an ambitious plan in 2025 to diversify tourism sectors and enhance recreational offerings through a series of high-quality projects. These initiatives, coordinated with the governors' offices across Oman's various governorates, fall under the broader framework of the comprehensive tourism development plan. They aim to strengthen tourism infrastructure and broaden the range of experiences available to visitors, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported. The ministry highlighted several prominent projects, including the Recreational Slides Project, Al Ashkhara Gateway Project, Recreational Fishing Project, Mountain Slopes Project, Aromatic Tourism Experiences Project, Falaj Experience Activation Project, Adventure Tourism Initiatives, and the Great Oman Journey Experience Project. Read more: Strong economic indicators signal 3.4 percent GDP growth for Oman in 2025 Boosting non-oil sector contributions to GDP Fakhriya Khamis Al Ghassani, director of the Product and Tourism Experiences Development Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated that these projects align with the objectives outlined in the comprehensive tourism development plan. They seek to elevate the quality of tourism offerings, enhance competitiveness, and provide unique opportunities and experiences across various destinations, she explained. She added that these efforts support increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP, attract local and foreign investments to Oman, and deliver exceptional experiences for domestic, regional, and international tourists while appealing to diverse demographic groups. She affirmed that the ministry continues to promote cultural tourism as a cornerstone for diversifying the tourism product and reinforcing national identity. The ministry launched the 'Omani Cuisine and Culinary Arts Tourism' program, which includes multiple initiatives such as documenting Omani cuisine and developing dedicated culinary tourism routes. These routes feature visits to traditional kitchens and restaurants serving authentic recipes, elevating Omani gastronomy as a key element of the tourism experience. Al Ghassani praised the pivotal role of Omani museums in showcasing history, culture, and living heritage. The ministry, she said, is enhancing museum content through interactive digital displays, allowing visitors to engage deeply with Oman's rich civilization. Museums serve as both educational and tourism institutions, blending physical exhibits with modern technology to present historical narratives in an engaging manner. She noted that statistics indicate significant growth in heritage site visitors. For instance, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate—home to landmarks such as Nizwa Fort and Jabrin Castle—welcomed over 415,000 visitors in 2024, marking a 32 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge, she explained, is attributed to the development of heritage neighborhoods, improved services, and diversified tourism experiences.
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Zawya
Empower wins three global awards at International District Energy Association Conference and Exhibition in the US
Dubai, UAE: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world's largest district cooling services provider, has won three global awards at the International District Energy Association (IDEA 2025) Conference and Exhibition held in Minneapolis, USA. Empower won two gold awards in the categories 'Total Number of Buildings Committed' & 'Total Building Area Committed' for district cooling services outside North America. Additionally, Empower received the prestigious 'Innovation Award Honorable Mention for District Cooling Plant Optimisation Using Machine Learning'. The IDEA recognized Empower's achievement, noting that this is the eleventh time the company is winning these awards, following previous wins in 2005, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Empower has received over 20 awards in various categories since its inception, along with other awards at different international conferences. On this occasion, His Excellency Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said: "We are proud to have received these prestigious global awards, which are a testament to years of continuous work and innovation. These awards are not just a recognition of our achievements but also a demonstration of the international community's trust in our business model and sustainable vision. Winning two gold awards and an innovation award confirms that we are on the right path towards a more efficient and intelligent future in district cooling." "We at Empower have adopted a strategy that relies on continuous investment in modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve the performance of our plants and enhance energy efficiency. This strategy not only contributes to reducing our carbon footprint but also raises the quality of services provided to our customers and ensures continued excellence in operational performance." "These awards reflect the team spirit that characterizes Empower's teams across all departments, who work tirelessly to achieve the company's goals and reinforce its position as a global leader in district cooling services. I would like to extend my deep gratitude to every individual in the company, as these awards are a fruit of their cooperation and continuous efforts", he added. "At Empower, we do not consider innovation an option but an integral part of our corporate culture. We will continue to expand and develop to support the environmental sustainability journey and reinforce the UAE's position as a global hub for innovation in infrastructure and clean energy. ", the CEO concluded.
ME Construction
15 hours ago
- ME Construction
KEO expands Sustainability + Environment Division with acquisition of Meehan Green
Industry News KEO expands Sustainability + Environment Division with acquisition of Meehan Green By The combined teams will immediately collaborate on active projects in Ireland, Europe, and Middle East, with plans to scale operations in Ireland and Europe KEO International Consultants has announced the acquisition of Meehan Green, which is said to be one of Europe's leading green building consultancies. The acquisition significantly expands KEO's Sustainability + Environment Division, which is the largest in the Middle East and one of the largest waste management consultancies globally, the firm said in a statement. The acquisition also accelerates KEO's expansion into Europe and reinforces its commitment to providing innovative ESG, decarbonisation, and green building solutions worldwide. 'We are pleased to welcome Meehan Green to KEO. Their specialised expertise and strong reputation in Ireland and throughout Europe add important capabilities to our Sustainability + Environment Division. This partnership allows us to better serve our clients pursuing ambitious green building standards in Europe and beyond, while staying true to our shared commitment and passion to practical, innovative solutions,' said Donna Sultan, President and CEO of KEO. Following the acquisition, Meehan Green will operate as Meehan Green, a KEO Company, and will combine its deep regional expertise with KEO's global scale, innovation, and sustainability capabilities. Nellie Reid, LEED Fellow, Managing Director of Meehan Green added, 'This is an exciting next step for our business. Joining KEO empowers us to elevate our legacy of sustainability leadership in Ireland and beyond. By uniting our local insights with KEO's global reach, we can deliver transformative results for clients bridging policy, innovation, and execution to meet the urgent demands of a decarbonising world.' KEO's Sustainability + Environment Division, led by Christian Millar, is renowned for its multidisciplinary approach. Its team of engineers, biologists, scientists, architects, and policymakers are pioneers of green progress, fueled by continuous research and a passion for innovative solutions. By pushing sustainability boundaries, KEO delivers solutions that not only exceed benchmarks, but also drive meaningful change for communities and the planet. With the addition of Meehan Green's specialised team, KEO further solidifies its position as the partner of choice for organizations navigating complex sustainability, ESG, and Net Zero challenges, the statement from KEO explained. Millar continued, 'Meehan Green's proven track record in high-performance, green building certifications and whole building lifecycle carbon analysis aligns seamlessly with our vision. This acquisition isn't just about growth. It's about amplifying our collective ability to turn sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes. Clients across Europe and the Middle East will now have access to an even deeper reservoir of expertise.' The combined teams will collaborate on active projects in Ireland, Europe, and the Middle East, with plans to scale operations in Ireland and Europe to meet rising demand. KEO's investment in Meehan Green underscores its long-term strategy towards global sustainability transition through innovation, talent, and geographic diversification, the firm said.
