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Zawya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Renewable energy thrust needs infrastructure boost
MUSCAT: As Oman accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, industry leaders stress the need for infrastructure resilience, grid modernisation, and energy storage solutions to meet the country's ambitious clean energy targets. Speaking at Oman Climate Week, Ahmed Abdel Magied, Head of Business Development at Oman EDF, highlighted the key challenges and opportunities in the transition. EDF Group, a multinational integrated energy utility, generates 94% of its electricity from carbon-free sources, with operations in 25 countries and a total capacity of 140 GW. In the Middle East, EDF has developed nearly 8 GW of renewable power, offsetting over 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. In Oman, the company is involved in major renewable projects, including the 500 MW Manah 1 solar plant and a large-scale green hydrogen facility powered by 4.5 GW of renewable capacity. *OMAN'S RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS AND CLIMATE RISKS* Oman has set ambitious targets of 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 39% by 2040, requiring a mix of large-scale solar and wind projects integrated with a stable grid. However, climate change poses new risks, particularly the increase in wind speeds, which could impact the durability of renewable energy infrastructure. "All renewable assets are built to withstand specific wind speeds under industry design standards, categorised into different levels. Category 1 represents lower wind speeds, while Category 3 covers significantly stronger winds," Magied explained. "Most existing projects follow Category 1 standards, but as climate conditions change, these specifications may no longer be sufficient to ensure long-term resilience." Magied emphasised the need for stronger industry standards to address climate risks. "We must develop solutions that allow renewable energy assets to withstand harsher weather conditions while remaining cost-effective. Innovation in design and construction will play a crucial role in ensuring long-term sustainability and energy affordability for consumers." *GRID CHALLENGES IN TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION* With renewable energy generation spread across different regions, efficient transmission and distribution have become critical challenges. A key concern is transporting electricity from the southern production sites to the northern consumption hubs, requiring careful grid synchronisation and investment in transmission networks. Additionally, Oman is introducing self-generation options for consumers, such as rooftop solar panels, allowing households and businesses to produce their own power. While this supports renewable energy adoption, it also changes traditional electricity flow, requiring more dynamic grid management. "The grid must adapt to two-way electricity flows, where consumers are also producers. This means investing in smart grids, smart meters, and digital innovations to enhance network stability," Magied said. "Reinforcing the grid will also support the integration of new energy technologies, including electric vehicles and distributed solar systems." *ENERGY STORAGE AS A SOLUTION FOR GRID STABILITY* Given the intermittency of solar and wind energy, large-scale energy storage solutions are essential to balance supply and demand. Magied pointed to pumped hydro storage as a promising solution for Oman. "In addition to its abundant solar and wind resources, Oman has a third natural advantage—its mountainous landscape," he noted. "This makes it an ideal location for pumped hydro storage, a proven technology that allows excess renewable energy to be stored by pumping water to a higher elevation and releasing it when needed." EDF has extensive experience in hydroelectric power, operating 22 GW of capacity globally, including 5 GW of pumped hydro storage. The company is also involved in the first-of-its-kind 250 MW / 1,500 MWh pumped storage project in the UAE. "Oman's landscape and water resources provide a strong opportunity for pumped hydro storage, which could play a key role in ensuring grid stability and accelerating the country's energy transition," Magied concluded. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
27-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Renewable energy thrust needs infrastructure boost
MUSCAT, FEB 27 As Oman accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, industry leaders stress the need for infrastructure resilience, grid modernisation, and energy storage solutions to meet the country's ambitious clean energy targets. Speaking at Oman Climate Week, Ahmed Abdel Magied, Head of Business Development at Oman EDF, highlighted the key challenges and opportunities in the transition. EDF Group, a multinational integrated energy utility, generates 94% of its electricity from carbon-free sources, with operations in 25 countries and a total capacity of 140 GW. In the Middle East, EDF has developed nearly 8 GW of renewable power, offsetting over 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. In Oman, the company is involved in major renewable projects, including the 500 MW Manah 1 solar plant and a large-scale green hydrogen facility powered by 4.5 GW of renewable capacity. *OMAN'S RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS AND CLIMATE RISKS* Oman has set ambitious targets of 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 39% by 2040, requiring a mix of large-scale solar and wind projects integrated with a stable grid. However, climate change poses new risks, particularly the increase in wind speeds, which could impact the durability of renewable energy infrastructure. "All renewable assets are built to withstand specific wind speeds under industry design standards, categorised into different levels. Category 1 represents lower wind speeds, while Category 3 covers significantly stronger winds," Magied explained. "Most existing projects follow Category 1 standards, but as climate conditions change, these specifications may no longer be sufficient to ensure long-term resilience." Magied emphasised the need for stronger industry standards to address climate risks. "We must develop solutions that allow renewable energy assets to withstand harsher weather conditions while remaining cost-effective. Innovation in design and construction will play a crucial role in ensuring long-term sustainability and energy affordability for consumers." *GRID CHALLENGES IN TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION* With renewable energy generation spread across different regions, efficient transmission and distribution have become critical challenges. A key concern is transporting electricity from the southern production sites to the northern consumption hubs, requiring careful grid synchronisation and investment in transmission networks. Additionally, Oman is introducing self-generation options for consumers, such as rooftop solar panels, allowing households and businesses to produce their own power. While this supports renewable energy adoption, it also changes traditional electricity flow, requiring more dynamic grid management. "The grid must adapt to two-way electricity flows, where consumers are also producers. This means investing in smart grids, smart meters, and digital innovations to enhance network stability," Magied said. "Reinforcing the grid will also support the integration of new energy technologies, including electric vehicles and distributed solar systems." *ENERGY STORAGE AS A SOLUTION FOR GRID STABILITY* Given the intermittency of solar and wind energy, large-scale energy storage solutions are essential to balance supply and demand. Magied pointed to pumped hydro storage as a promising solution for Oman. "In addition to its abundant solar and wind resources, Oman has a third natural advantage—its mountainous landscape," he noted. "This makes it an ideal location for pumped hydro storage, a proven technology that allows excess renewable energy to be stored by pumping water to a higher elevation and releasing it when needed." EDF has extensive experience in hydroelectric power, operating 22 GW of capacity globally, including 5 GW of pumped hydro storage. The company is also involved in the first-of-its-kind 250 MW / 1,500 MWh pumped storage project in the UAE. "Oman's landscape and water resources provide a strong opportunity for pumped hydro storage, which could play a key role in ensuring grid stability and accelerating the country's energy transition," Magied concluded.
Gulf Today
21-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Emerge and Tawazun Industrial Park sign deal for solar PV plant
Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, has signed an agreement to install a 13.25MWp solar PV plant for Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP). In the presence of Aurelien Delahaye, Deputy CEO ME of EDF, and Ali Alshimmari, Head of Strategic and Special Projects at Masdar, the agreement was signed on the second day of IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi by Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge, and Faiz Al Nahdi, CEO of Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP). The agreement, which covers an 11.5MWp ground-mounted solar PV plant and a 1.75MWp carport, will avoid 14,064 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. This is equivalent to removing the emissions of more than 25 per cent of the current residents in TIP. Construction of the plant is due to begin in late 2025. CEO of Tawazun Industrial Park said, 'Our collaboration with Emerge marks a significant step in integrating clean energy solutions into Tawazun Industrial Park. This project underscores our responsibility to minimise environmental impact while fostering a modern, forward-thinking industrial hub. 'By incorporating renewable energy, we are equipping TIP and its resident companies with sustainable resources to thrive. This initiative aligns with national priorities, including the UAE's 'Net Zero by 2050 Strategy', and reinforces our role in driving innovation and sustainable growth across strategic sectors.' Emerge General Manager said, 'We are extremely proud to welcome TIP as a client and to demonstrate the value we add as an energy services company. Our turnkey solutions offer businesses like TIP the opportunity to decarbonise and the ability to transition towards a sustainable future without upfront costs. We look forward to supporting and empowering TIP to achieve its sustainability goals.' Emerge will handle the entire project lifecycle under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement. This includes financing, design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar plant for a period of 25 years. Meanwhile last week Emerge has signed an MoU with Adnoc Sour Gas to explore leveraging solar energy at the Shah Gas Plant, and an agreement with Pipetec, a leading innovator in the hot pipe bending industry, to deliver a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project at its facility in Kezad. Emerge also inaugurated a 1.8-megawatt solar power plant project with Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, supporting its bottling facility in Al Ain to avoid approximately 1,566 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. These partnerships aim to support the companies' decarbonisation efforts and are a significant opportunity for Emerge to expand its presence supporting local businesses with sustainability targets. The new agreements follow Emerge's most successful year to date. In 2024, Emerge tripled its operating capacity across solar plants to 30MW (from 10MW the year before), supplying clean electricity to 38 commercial, industrial, educational and hospitality sites across the UAE.
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Emerge signs agreement with Tawazun Industrial Park for 13.25MWp solar PV plant
ABU DHABI - Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, has signed an agreement to install a 13.25MWp solar PV plant for Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP). In the presence of Aurelien Delahaye, Deputy CEO ME of EDF, and Ali Alshimmari, Head of Strategic and Special Projects at Masdar, the agreement was signed on the second day of IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi by Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge, and Faiz Al Nahdi, CEO of Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP). The agreement, which covers an 11.5MWp ground-mounted solar PV plant and a 1.75MWp carport, will avoid 14,064 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. This is equivalent to removing the emissions of more than 25 percent of the current residents in TIP. Construction of the plant is due to begin in late 2025. CEO of Tawazun Industrial Park said, 'Our collaboration with Emerge marks a significant step in integrating clean energy solutions into Tawazun Industrial Park. This project underscores our responsibility to minimise environmental impact while fostering a modern, forward-thinking industrial hub. 'By incorporating renewable energy, we are equipping TIP and its resident companies with sustainable resources to thrive. This initiative aligns with national priorities, including the UAE's 'Net Zero by 2050 Strategy', and reinforces our role in driving innovation and sustainable growth across strategic sectors.' Emerge General Manager said, 'We are extremely proud to welcome TIP as a client and to demonstrate the value we add as an energy services company. Our turnkey solutions offer businesses like TIP the opportunity to decarbonise and the ability to transition towards a sustainable future without upfront costs. We look forward to supporting and empowering TIP to achieve its sustainability goals.' Emerge will handle the entire project lifecycle under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement. This includes financing, design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar plant for a period of 25 years.
