Latest news with #NajlaalJamali
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's OQAE targets over 10 GW renewables by 2035
MUSCAT: OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) – the clean energy arm of integrated Omani energy group OQ – has announced plans to develop over 10 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy production capacity within a decade. It also aims to bring a portion of its green hydrogen production capacity online within this timeframe. According to Najla al Jamali, OQ Alternative Energy CEO, these goals are aligned with the company's decarbonisation and energy transition strategies, consistent with its mandate as Oman's national champion for clean-energy development. 'By 2035, I envision OQAE exceeding 10 GW in renewable energy production and becoming a regional leader, possibly expanding beyond Oman. I would like to see our hydrogen projects supplying both domestic and international markets. Ideally, we would minimise export dependencies by fostering local offtake,' Al Jamali said in an interview with The Energy Year, a London-based news portal. The rollout of this portfolio is already underway, with the recent launch of construction of three renewable energy projects – the Riyah 1 and Riyah 2 wind farms and the North Oman Solar project – with a combined capacity of around 300 MW, the output of which is contracted to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the country's largest oil and gas producer. In addition, OQAE is supporting another 300 MW solar farm to provide clean energy for the Marsa LNG bunkering project currently under construction at Sohar Port. In the interview, Al Jamali highlighted the critical role of international partnerships in delivering OQAE's ambitious clean energy agenda. These partners contribute not only equity but also advanced technology and operational expertise. Many of them – including oil and gas producers and hard-to-abate industries – are also prospective customers for OQAE's clean energy output as they pursue their own decarbonisation pathways. 'In clean energy, our customer base includes PDO, Marsa LNG, Oxy and OQ Exploration & Production (OQEP),' she noted. 'Our potential customers include oil and gas companies such as PDO, BP, Shell and Oxy, as well as industrial players like Vale, Jindal and Sohar Aluminium. Within OQ Group itself, we also look to serve the refinery and plants in Salalah.' Significantly, OQAE is expanding its role in solar and wind energy development aimed at meeting Oman's national renewable energy targets. Earlier this year, OQAE secured a commitment for a stake of up to 25 per cent in all future renewable energy projects procured by Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP) – the sole procurer of new power and water capacity in Oman. This commitment encompasses all upcoming solar and wind projects (and potentially other forms of alternative energy as well), beginning with the Ibri III Solar PV project, a 500 MW scheme slated for development in Al Dhahirah Governorate. 'As the national champion, we have rights in Nama Power and Water Procurement tenders. Three projects have already been floated. Ibri III has been awarded, while the Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and Dhofar Wind 2 projects are progressing. Nama Power and Water Procurement has also allocated around 1 GW of wind capacity to us, with some sites already identified and others pending selection,' Al Jamali explained. On the progress of OQAE's green hydrogen ventures, the CEO stated: 'We expect our hydrogen projects to advance from around 2030 onward, with some developments extending into the following decade.' She added: 'Our Hyport project features a 500 MW electrolyser. Green Energy Oman and Salalah H2 each represents around 2 GW. Collectively, these three legacy projects are expected to deliver approximately 400 kilotonnes per year. We believe they are among the most advanced in the region, having gathered wind data and progressed to the pre-FEED stage.'
Observer
29-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
OPAZ, OQAE ink pact to drive energy efficiency in Oman's industrial hubs
MUSCAT: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) signed yesterday, April 29, a Memorandum of Cooperation with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) to implement an Energy Excellence Programme. This initiative is part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, and to support the implementation of the national strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The memorandum also aims to explore potential cooperation opportunities in identifying and implementing energy efficiency initiatives and related certifications. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on behalf of OPAZ by Eng Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, and on behalf of OQAE by Najla al Jamali, CEO of OAQE. The areas of cooperation under the memorandum include providing support and consultancy services for energy efficiency assessments and decarbonisation of certain technical and non-technical assets owned by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones; identifying and implementing energy efficiency improvement projects through performance contracting if both parties wish; supporting and advising the Authority on obtaining ISO 50001 certification in energy management; and providing consultancy services for developing an energy strategy for OPAZ. Eng Mazin bin Mansour al Balushi, Head of the Technical Studies Section at the Public Authority, stated that the Authority places great importance on environmental preservation and carbon emission reduction across the economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities under its supervision. The implementation of the Energy Excellence Programme comes in line with these objectives. He emphasised that the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation reflects the Authority's commitment to achieving Oman Vision 2040 objectives under the priority area of environment and natural resources. He pointed out that in recent years, the Authority has signed numerous agreements and memoranda of cooperation to establish projects in green hydrogen, green ammonia, green steel, and direct reduced iron, reflecting the Authority's dedication to promoting environmental sustainability in line with national sustainability goals. He further explained that the Energy Excellence Programme will contribute to improving energy usage in the economic zones, free zones and industrial cities, and will have a positive impact on enhancing innovation and developing human capital in the areas under the Authority's supervision. OQAE provides a range of consulting services and solutions in energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and renewable energy for various companies under the OQ Group as well as external clients. Energy Excellence Programmes are among the environmental sustainability initiatives that are receiving growing global attention due to their significant economic and environmental benefits.
Muscat Daily
29-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
OPAZ, OQAE ink pact to drive energy efficiency in industrial zones
Muscat – The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) signed a memorandum of cooperation on Tuesday with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) to implement an Energy Excellence Programme. This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions across economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, and to support the implementation of the national strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The memorandum also seeks to explore potential areas of collaboration in identifying and implementing energy efficiency initiatives and obtaining relevant certifications. The memorandum was signed on behalf of OPAZ by H E Eng Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, and on behalf of OQAE by Najla al Jamali, CEO of OQAE. Areas of cooperation under the agreement include: providing support and consultancy services for energy efficiency assessments and the decarbonisation of selected technical and non-technical assets owned by OPAZ; identifying and implementing energy efficiency improvement projects through performance contracting where mutually agreed; supporting and advising the Authority in obtaining ISO 50001 certification in energy management; and offering consultancy services to develop an energy strategy for OPAZ. Eng Mazin bin Mansour al Balushi, Head of the Technical Studies Section at OPAZ, stated that the Authority places high importance on environmental preservation and carbon emission reduction across the economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities under its supervision. The implementation of the Energy Excellence Programme aligns with these objectives. He emphasised that the signing of the memorandum reflects OPAZ's commitment to achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, particularly in the priority area of environment and natural resources. He noted that in recent years, the Authority has signed several agreements and memoranda of cooperation to establish projects in green hydrogen, green ammonia, green steel, and direct reduced iron – highlighting its dedication to promoting environmental sustainability in line with national goals. Balushi further explained that the Energy Excellence Programme will help optimise energy usage in the economic zones, free zones, and industrial cities, and will positively contribute to fostering innovation and developing human capital in areas under the Authority's oversight. OQAE provides a wide range of consulting services and solutions in energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and renewable energy to various companies within the OQ Group, as well as to external clients. Energy Excellence Programmes are among the environmental sustainability initiatives gaining increasing global attention due to their significant economic and ecological benefits.
