Latest news with #ThuraiyaalWahaibi
Observer
14 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman and EU target energy synergies through innovation and storage
MUSCAT, JUNE 18 The Sultanate Oman and the European Union (EU) are exploring deeper collaboration to accelerate the energy transition through innovative technologies, smarter infrastructure, and long-duration storage systems. This was the key message that emerged from a session of the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum, held recently in Muscat under the theme 'How Can Oman and the EU Work Together to Optimise the Energy Mix?' The high-level panel brought together energy experts from Oman and Europe to explore how partnerships can help optimise energy resources, enhance grid resilience, and support Oman's ambitious sustainability targets. Moderator Said al Kamyani, Sustainability Specialist, set the tone by highlighting the urgency of building diversified and secure energy systems. He guided the discussion across a range of topics, including regulatory frameworks, advanced technologies, and the growing role of energy storage in stabilising renewables. Thuraiya al Wahaibi, Senior Product Engineer at Nama Power and Water Procurement (Nama PWP), shared Oman's clean energy targets of 30% renewables by 2030 and 60% by 2040, alongside net-zero emissions by 2050. She outlined Nama PWP's roadmap, which includes more than eight upcoming solar and wind projects, as well as ongoing studies into pumped hydro and geothermal energy. 'Oman's regulatory environment and public-private partnership model are strong foundations,' she said, 'but scaling up will require stronger collaboration on technologies like smart grids, storage, and system integration.' Dr Yves-Laurent Beck, Hydropower Project Manager at French utility EDF, emphasised the suitability of pumped hydro energy storage for Oman's mountainous terrain. Citing EDF's global expertise and its work on the Hatta Pumped Storage Plant in the UAE, he advocated for long-term collaboration and capacity-building in Oman. 'Pumped hydro with variable-speed turbines can offer flexibility and grid stability, particularly as renewable energy sources become dominant,' Dr Beck noted. Storage solutions were further explored by Paul Smith, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Energy Dome. He introduced the company's CO₂ Battery—an innovative long-duration storage solution with a 30-year lifespan that uses carbon dioxide in a closed cycle. 'Our technology is a cost-effective answer to grid intermittency and is fully compatible with green hydrogen production,' Smith explained. 'Oman's ambition to lead in hydrogen makes it an ideal partner for such solutions.' Henrico van den Boomen, CEO of stressed the importance of modernising grid infrastructure in parallel with the rollout of renewables. Drawing from the Dutch experience, he cautioned against underestimating the complexity of grid adaptation. 'Europe faced delays due to slow planning on local balancing and smart systems,' he said. 'Oman has the advantage of foresight—now is the time to invest in decentralised systems and advanced energy management.' Khalfan Naser Said al Burtamani, Chief Commercial Officer at Nama Electricity Distribution, shared Oman's progress in digital infrastructure. He pointed to the deployment of smart meters—now covering 77% of the system—and the SABIQ prepayment platform. 'Advanced Metering Infrastructure is a game-changer,' he said. 'But we also need policies that keep pace with innovation, especially as grid pressure, cybersecurity and resilience become more complex.' The session closed with a consensus on the need for flexible, forward-looking regulatory frameworks and stakeholder coordination. Panellists agreed that technologies like CO₂ batteries and pumped hydro are essential to support the stability and scalability of Oman's renewable and hydrogen ambitions.
Muscat Daily
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Pact signed to start food delivery using e-bikes in Muscat
Muscat – EVO, Oman's green mobility provider, and talabat, a regional on-demand delivery platform, have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a six-month pilot of swappable battery e-bikes, marking Oman's first large-scale electric last-mile delivery trial. The signing ceremony – held under the patronage of H E Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and IT, on Monday – came during the ministry's participation in the Green Mobility Exhibition, part of Oman Sustainability Week 2025, which began on Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) and runs until Wednesday. The event, which aligns with Oman's long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, is billed as the country's largest platform for showcasing smart and sustainable transport technologies. The wilayat of Bausher has been selected as the first phase of implementation. Under the project, EVO will provide 10 e-bikes and three battery swapping and charging stations to talabat's logistics partners. Thuraiya al Wahaibi, logistics operation specialist at the Ministry of Transport Communication and IT (MTCIT) said, 'This long-awaited pilot project for food and ready-meal delivery using electric bikes marks a significant step toward sustainable and efficient last-mile services.' She added that the ministry plays a central role in regulating the sector and facilitating procedures related to electric vehicles and consistently seeks integration and collaboration with the private sector in various initiatives under its mandate. An official from MTCIT said the project aims to cut emissions in the transport sector while supporting last-mile logistics through low-emission delivery services. The ministry said the collaboration with Talabat and EVO aims to create practical, scalable models for environmentally friendly logistics in Oman's urban areas. The MTCIT's pavilion features projects including electric vehicle solutions, charging infrastructure, intelligent transport systems, and digital transformation initiatives in the mobility sector. The ministry further participated in a panel discussion focused on advancing green mobility in Oman. The discussions highlighted national and regional initiatives, with contributions from the Net Zero team presenting key strategies.
