Latest news with #FirasalAbduwani
Observer
17-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Credible energy transition hinges on regulatory agility: MEM official
MUSCAT: The complexity of policy frameworks—not technology or ambition—is the real bottleneck in accelerating renewable energy deployment, said Dr Firas al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM), during a high-level panel at the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES) on Tuesday. Speaking during the 'Innovation in New Energies to Enable the Transition' session hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Dr Al Abduwani emphasised that policymaking—often criticised as slow or outdated—is far more nuanced than commonly assumed. 'Everyone says, 'Why aren't we doing more renewables?' and the answer is always 'the policy'. But very few understand how deeply layered and technically complex these policies are,' he said. 'It's not just about ambition. It's about designing policies that reflect economic realities, legacy infrastructure, and affordability for consumers and industry.' HIDDEN COSTS, REAL CONSTRAINTS Dr Al Abduwani explained that legacy energy systems—particularly natural gas—are heavily subsidised and socially embedded in Oman's industrial model, which makes sudden shifts toward renewables politically and economically risky. 'Gas in Oman is not treated purely as a commodity—it's socialised,' he said. 'It underpins electricity prices, industrial feedstock, and household consumption. Reforming that structure is like changing the wheels of a moving car.' He estimated that Oman continues to spend over a billion dollars annually in subsidies, underscoring how embedded fossil fuels remain in the nation's economic architecture. A CALL FOR AGILE, ADAPTIVE POLICY To enable a credible energy transition, Dr Al Abduwani called for more agile regulatory systems—where electricity generation, storage, and distribution are interconnected with real-time pricing and dynamic access across the grid. 'A modern energy policy must give generators and consumers the flexibility to interact with the grid dynamically. If you want renewables to compete fairly, you need to unbundle and de-subsidise the system with surgical precision,' he said. He pointed to international examples—such as Germany's multi-decade subsidy transition and market restructuring—as models worth studying, though not necessarily copying outright. 'Oman must chart its own path, but we can learn from how others sequence the shift—Germany, for instance, gave industries 10 years to adapt to new rules.' TRANSITION WITHOUT DISRUPTION Acknowledging that energy transitions risk social backlash if done poorly, Dr Al-Abduwani called for a holistic approach: engaging regulators, consumers, industries, and financiers in synchronised reform. 'You can't expect households and businesses to absorb cost shocks overnight. Transition must be just, data-driven, and inclusive,' he said. 'And that's why policy is hard. It's not just about writing laws—it's about managing trade-offs between security, affordability, and sustainability.' The OPES panel, which attracted government officials, private sector executives, and global energy experts, was part of broader discussions around Oman's clean energy roadmap under Vision 2040, particularly its green hydrogen ambitions and renewable capacity targets.
Observer
14-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Energy shift must reflect local realities: Experts warn
MUSCAT: Global energy experts convening at the Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES) have urged governments and industry leaders to adopt more realistic, inclusive, and economically grounded strategies to drive the clean energy transition. During a high-level session titled 'Innovation in New Energies to Enable the Transition', speakers highlighted the urgent need for regulatory clarity, social engagement, and investment frameworks that reflect on-the-ground realities in the Middle East and beyond. Organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the panel brought together senior voices from Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals, OQ, SLB, Olayan Saudi Holding Company, and Petronas. Dr Firas al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, opened the discussion by emphasising that the real challenge lies not in technology, but in crafting effective policy. 'Everyone talks about the need for more renewables, but few appreciate the complexity of policymaking. It's not just about ambition—it's about designing policies that reflect economic and social realities,' he said. He explained that Oman's natural gas, partly subsidised and socially priced, plays a vital role in electricity generation, desalination, and industrial production. Transitioning from this foundation requires careful sequencing and institutional alignment. Dr Talal al Aulaqi, Vice President of Energy Excellence at OQ Alternative Energy, warned that while policies are accelerating, social behaviour has yet to catch up. 'Every summer, we see power demand spike. That tells us people still expect reliability from fossil systems,' he said. 'We must ensure the transition is inclusive and that citizens have a role in shaping it.' He called for demand-side engagement tools, such as distributed solar, energy efficiency incentives, and education campaigns to bridge the gap between national strategy and public expectations. Salih Merghani, Executive Vice President for Energy at Olayan Saudi Holding Company, said the clean energy transition cannot advance without clear, long-term market signals. 'We've seen successful pilot projects in carbon capture and green industrial solutions, but they won't scale without demand certainty and regulatory support,' he said. He noted that the absence of carbon pricing in many regional markets is limiting the ability of private capital to move decisively into low-carbon investments. Guillaume Verhaeghe, Director of New Energy MENA at SLB, called for leveraging decades of oil and gas expertise to fast-track carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). 'The region has the technical capability. Now we need permitting reforms, financial incentives, and cross-sector partnerships to deliver CCUS at scale,' he said. He added that reusing existing infrastructure for new energy applications could reduce transition costs and create regional leadership in climate technologies. Emry Hisham Yusoff, Senior General Manager of Carbon Management at Petronas, said Southeast Asia is moving cautiously—balancing environmental goals with economic development. 'Yes, we're expanding CCUS and renewables, but gas remains crucial for energy access,' he said. 'To scale climate solutions, we need public-private coordination and government-backed incentives.' He highlighted the role of frameworks like the US Inflation Reduction Act as models for de-risking early investment in carbon management. Across the panel, speakers emphasised that energy transition is not merely about new technologies—it is a systemic transformation that requires public acceptance, economic restructuring, and policy coordination. As Oman moves forward under Vision 2040, the session reinforced the Sultanate of Oman's position as a regional innovator in green hydrogen and low-carbon energy—but also underscored that successful transitions must be gradual, inclusive, and grounded in national context.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Policy reforms to boost Oman's renewables-focused electricity market
MUSCAT: New policy initiatives unveiled recently by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals are designed to pave the way for a more decentralised, efficient and sustainable electricity market that benefits both producers and consumers, a key Ministry official has emphasised. Dr Firas al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen, said the reforms centring around auto generation, direct sales and wheeling, aim to create a conducive environment for independent developers in Oman's expanding renewable energy space. Participating in a webinar on the theme, 'The Role of Liberalisation in the Omani Energy Market', hosted by the British-Omani Society, the official stated: 'These reforms are designed to open up the market. Rather than having all transactions pass through Nama Power and Water Procurement (PWP), we are enabling bilateral agreements where eligible generators and consumers can transact directly while utilising the national grid for wheeling. This marks a crucial step in reducing dependence on centralised procurement and setting the stage for a more competitive market.' The 'Renewable Energy Policy for Self-Generation and Direct Sale', launched earlier this year, seeks to promote sustainable development, encourage investments in clean energy and regulate electricity self-generation and direct sales. It is a key milestone in the country's energy transition as it targets generating 90% to 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Elaborating on the broader objectives behind these policy initiatives, Dr Al Abduwani noted that the Ministry is also embarking on a comprehensive energy market redesign. 'We are conducting a full assessment, similar to the exercise that led to the establishment of the regulator, to ensure a holistic and efficient market structure.' Additionally, the Ministry, in coordination with the Oman Net-Zero Centre, is driving new initiatives such as renewable energy certificates and mandatory decarbonisation targets. 'The renewable energy certificate market will ensure that objectives and targets are met efficiently,' he said. Furthermore, the government is evaluating various renewable energy and storage options, including pumped hydro, to enhance grid stability. 'We are looking at ways to integrate storage solutions and ensure that our policies support the growth of renewables without compromising reliability,' he added. Beyond market liberalisation, Dr Al Abduwani emphasised the Ministry's vision for fostering national champions in the renewable energy sector. 'With Oman's vast renewable energy potential, we aim to see major national champions operating internationally, with OQ Alternative Energy (part of OQ Group) playing a key role. Simultaneously, we want to create ample space for independent developers to drive innovation, challenge norms and contribute solutions.' Also taking part in the webinar were: Eng Hilal al Ghaithi, Director of Energy — The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR); Head of Project Development — Clean Energy, OQ Alternative Energy; and Mikey Clark, CEO of Relode. Session hosts included: Chris Breeze, Vice Chair — British Omani Society; and Anna Halpern-Lande, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Ortus Climate Mitigation. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
04-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Policy reforms to boost Oman's renewables-focused electricity market
MUSCAT: New policy initiatives unveiled recently by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals are designed to pave the way for a more decentralised, efficient and sustainable electricity market that benefits both producers and consumers, a key Ministry official has emphasised. Dr Firas al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen, said the reforms centring around auto generation, direct sales and wheeling, aim to create a conducive environment for independent developers in Oman's expanding renewable energy space. Participating in a webinar on the theme, 'The Role of Liberalisation in the Omani Energy Market', hosted by the British-Omani Society, the official stated: 'These reforms are designed to open up the market. Rather than having all transactions pass through Nama Power and Water Procurement (PWP), we are enabling bilateral agreements where eligible generators and consumers can transact directly while utilising the national grid for wheeling. This marks a crucial step in reducing dependence on centralised procurement and setting the stage for a more competitive market.' The 'Renewable Energy Policy for Self-Generation and Direct Sale', launched earlier this year, seeks to promote sustainable development, encourage investments in clean energy and regulate electricity self-generation and direct sales. It is a key milestone in the country's energy transition as it targets generating 90% to 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Elaborating on the broader objectives behind these policy initiatives, Dr Al Abduwani noted that the Ministry is also embarking on a comprehensive energy market redesign. 'We are conducting a full assessment, similar to the exercise that led to the establishment of the regulator, to ensure a holistic and efficient market structure.' Additionally, the Ministry, in coordination with the Oman Net-Zero Centre, is driving new initiatives such as renewable energy certificates and mandatory decarbonisation targets. 'The renewable energy certificate market will ensure that objectives and targets are met efficiently,' he said. Furthermore, the government is evaluating various renewable energy and storage options, including pumped hydro, to enhance grid stability. 'We are looking at ways to integrate storage solutions and ensure that our policies support the growth of renewables without compromising reliability,' he added. Beyond market liberalisation, Dr Al Abduwani emphasised the Ministry's vision for fostering national champions in the renewable energy sector. 'With Oman's vast renewable energy potential, we aim to see major national champions operating internationally, with OQ Alternative Energy (part of OQ Group) playing a key role. Simultaneously, we want to create ample space for independent developers to drive innovation, challenge norms and contribute solutions.' Also taking part in the webinar were: Eng Hilal al Ghaithi, Director of Energy — The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR); Head of Project Development — Clean Energy, OQ Alternative Energy; and Mikey Clark, CEO of Relode. Session hosts included: Chris Breeze, Vice Chair — British Omani Society; and Anna Halpern-Lande, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Ortus Climate Mitigation.
