Latest news with #EU-OmanEnergy&WaterCollaborationForum
Observer
27-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman ramps up investment in smart utility systems
MUSCAT: Oman's transition towards smart energy and water infrastructure is gathering pace, with leading public and private sector voices calling for stronger investments in digitalisation, AI and data-driven decision-making. These technologies, experts agree, are no longer optional — they are essential to meet the country's growing demand and sustainability goals. These insights were shared during Session 2: 'How to Fund the Next-Generation Smart Energy & Water Systems?' at the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum, held at Crowne Plaza OCEC on May 20–21, 2025. The forum, sponsored by Nama Group and the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, was moderated by Said al Kamyani, Sustainability Specialist. Speaking at the session, Jamie Hoyzer, CEO of Siemens Oman, stressed that digital transformation is key to enabling Oman's energy transition. 'Oman's energy demand is expected to triple by 2050. Smart grids, AI and predictive systems aren't luxuries — they're critical infrastructure,' he said. He highlighted a successful local project in which Siemens used AI to optimise a chilled water plant's operations, achieving a guaranteed 36% reduction in energy use — validated through performance guarantees from a local bank. Bringing in a European perspective, Moisés Blanco Maceiras, Adviser to the Secretary-General for EU Funds at Spain's Ministry of Finance, explained how Spain has effectively deployed smart infrastructure at scale. 'We've rolled out more than 27 million smart electric metres and supported AI-enabled irrigation and citizen-centric utility platforms through layered financing — EU grants, public-private partnerships and national co-funding,' he noted. Blanco encouraged Oman to consider similar multi-source funding models to accelerate its smart infrastructure deployment. From the utility side, Issam al Ismaili, Chief Commercial Officer of Nama Water Services, shared how digital tools are already making an impact in Oman. 'We've deployed over 700,000 smart metres and reduced non-revenue water from over 40% to 37.1%, with a target of 33% by the end of this year,' he said. Smart metres are not only cutting losses, but also giving customers access to real-time consumption data, helping to promote conservation and engagement. Complementing this, Fahad al Harrasi, General Manager of ICT at Nama Water Services, emphasised the importance of enabling technologies and local talent. 'Smart infrastructure is more than hardware — it's a data ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and creates jobs for Omanis,' he stated. He also noted Nama's successful public-private partnerships under a build-operate-transfer model, which are driving digital transformation in the sector. Speakers agreed that to sustain momentum, Oman must continue aligning its policies, financing tools and human capital strategies. AI integration, workforce development and stronger public-private collaboration emerged as the top priorities for scaling demand-side innovation in utilities.
Observer
25-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
EU eyes Oman for green energy and water investment push
MUSCAT: At the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum held in Muscat on May 20–21, 2025, senior European and Omani stakeholders highlighted Oman's growing appeal as a hub for green investment, particularly in the energy and water sectors. The forum, held at the Crowne Plaza OCEC and sponsored by Nama Group and the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, drew attention to the Sultanate of Oman's strategic readiness for climate-aligned infrastructure partnerships. During a high-level session titled 'Attracting EU Investors to Oman's Growing Green Economy,' speakers detailed how Oman's geographic location, renewable resource wealth and regulatory initiatives are aligning with European Union sustainability objectives to create a fertile investment landscape. Andre Vreman, Chairman of Climate Neutral Real Estate, pointed to Oman's stable governance, abundant solar and wind potential; and proactive climate policy as decisive advantages. 'Oman's combination of stable governance, immense solar and wind resources; and progressive green policy creates a uniquely bankable environment for EU investors,' he said, adding that financial tools such as green bonds and sustainability-linked loans could significantly enhance investor participation. Echoing this sentiment, Jorge Malleu, General Manager of 4Fores Engineering, emphasised the convergence between Oman Vision 2040 and EU climate targets. He cited growing interest from European engineering and finance firms in public-private partnerships and project-financed models. 'There's clear alignment between EU sustainability targets and Oman Vision 2040,' he noted. 'But unlocking serious capital requires regulatory clarity and off-take agreements that reduce uncertainty for investors.' The forum also highlighted Oman's progress in green hydrogen development. Rumaitha al Busaidi, Business & ICV Development Manager at Hydrom, showcased how the government-backed entity is de-risking the hydrogen value chain through structured auctions, construction milestones and partnerships aimed at manufacturing electrolysers and localising supply chains. 'Our model integrates risk-sharing, local content and global cooperation to build a resilient hydrogen economy,' she said. On the utilities side, Dr Ahmed Zayed Khalifah al Shaqsi, General Manager of Strategy, ESG & Performance at Nama Electricity Distribution, discussed the company's efforts to incorporate ESG principles across operations. Initiatives include reducing grid losses, increasing energy efficiency and piloting community-based renewable energy projects. 'We are embedding ESG in every layer of our operations and will soon publish our first ESG disclosure report,' Dr Al Shaqsi revealed. Moderated by sustainability specialist Said al Kamyani, the session closed with a clear message: Oman is rapidly positioning itself as a regional leader in green infrastructure, attracting serious interest from European investors across renewable energy, hydrogen and sustainable utilities. Speakers called for deeper EU-Oman collaboration, stronger policy frameworks and clearer mechanisms for de-risking investment through off-take agreements and regulatory consistency.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman fights water system losses with tech, data, and EU expertise
MUSCAT,MAY 20 Tackling rising water scarcity and costly system inefficiencies, Oman is ramping up efforts to cut water losses by turning to data-driven innovations, decentralised wastewater solutions, and lessons learned from European best practices. This was the key focus of a high-level discussion during the 'EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum,' where experts shed light on practical solutions for managing non-revenue water and modernising national water infrastructure. The session, titled "Tackling Water Losses & Improving Efficiency – The Role of Technology & Economic Solutions", explored Oman's roadmap to reducing technical losses and enhancing water reuse. FROM CLASSIC METRES TO SMART WATER NETWORKS Khalil Sulaiman Salim al Adawi, Technical Losses Engineer for Operation and Maintenance at Nama Water Services, highlighted the utility's strategic pivot from traditional water metering to smart, data-integrated systems. 'We are now using classical water metres equipped with liquidation systems, but the future lies in building integrated layers of digital tools that allow for daily data collection and predictive maintenance,' he said. Al Adawi outlined Nama Water's four-stage roadmap, launched in 2021, to address water losses. The first phase, already completed, involved mapping losses across the network using analytics and GIS to pinpoint high-loss areas. In the second phase, over 600 pressure-reducing devices (PRDs) were installed nationwide over three years, significantly cutting leakage and pipeline stress. Current efforts include expanding pressure management and building capacity across 30 leakage detection teams. THE DECENTRALISED ADVANTAGE Angelo de Mul, CEO of Dutch firm PureBlue Water, advocated for decentralised wastewater treatment as a more energy-efficient and scalable alternative to conventional sewer networks. 'Decentralised systems allow you to reuse water at the source, for irrigation or even within communities, reducing reliance on costly centralised infrastructure. It's cost-effective and sustainable,' he said. He pointed to successful applications in the Netherlands and other European countries, where compact, decentralised treatment plants operate seamlessly within built environments. 'People often don't even know there's a wastewater plant right beside them — that's the level of integration and reliability we aim for,' he added. De Mul also stressed the importance of standardising water treatment systems and connecting them to data management platforms. 'Innovation is sharper and more effective when combined with reliable data. In the Netherlands, we've developed standardised machines with low carbon footprints to remove toxic substances and recycle water safely for agriculture and even human use,' he noted. VEOLIA BACKS INTEGRATED, RESILIENT SOLUTION Nicolas Le Goff, Chief Operating Officer of Veolia Oman, called for a systemic view of water management. 'The challenge in Oman is not only about reducing leaks, but also about managing wastewater reuse and ensuring energy efficiency throughout the cycle,' he said. 'We believe smart grids, AI-driven asset management, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to solving water losses while delivering sustainable services.' Veolia, a global leader in water and environmental services, has long advocated for circular water strategies, particularly in arid regions like Oman. Le Goff added that Oman's geography makes it a prime candidate for testing scalable solutions in decentralised reuse and smart grid applications. EU LESSONS AND THE WAY FORWARD The panelists agreed that Oman can draw valuable insights from Europe's water management evolution — from data-based planning in the Netherlands to the integration of decentralised systems in remote and urban zones. As Oman plans long-term infrastructure investments, balancing centralised legacy assets with modular, scalable alternatives will be key. Moderator Said al Kamyani, a sustainability expert, concluded that a hybrid model combining smart technology, decentralised reuse, and public-private coordination could be Oman's path to achieving national water security goals. The forum was part of the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum, held at Crowne Plaza OCEC on May 20–21, 2025. It was sponsored by Nama Group and the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project.
