Muscat : Hydrogen is better than fossil fuels owing to the fact that it is a clean and carbon-free energy. It can be a direct fuel as well as a feedstock. This has led a number of international companies in the past few months to express interest and announce plans to invest in green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Oman.
At a panel discussion held by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, in conjunction with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the United Kingdom and the Anglo-Omani Society, held in London on Tuesday, H E Dr Mohammed Hamad al Rumhi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, reviewed the promising prospects of alternate energy sources to contribute to the comprehensive development of Oman.
During the discussions, which covered major investment opportunities in the fields of oil and gas and renewable energy in Oman, H E Rumhi said that in response to international requirements – the goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 being the foremost of these – there is a significant push towards clean energy alternatives.
He stressed that green hydrogen may be one of the future solutions and that Oman is working to develop its production capabilities and open new markets in this field.
Being a world-class location for solar irradiation, with additional advantages wind speed, easy access to seawater, proven desalination capabilities, and industrial cities and free-zones for manufacturing, Oman is well placed to be a world leader in the production of green hydrogen. Several announcements by international companies to set up green hydrogen projects in Oman testify to these advantages.
Last month, Oman’s integrated energy group OQ, American industrial gases firm Air Products, and Saudi-based energy company ACWA Power signed a joint development agreement to set up a world-class green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility in Oman.
Earlier, Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced that a group of international companies have expressed interest to invest in green hydrogen projects in the special economic zones and free zones in the sultanate.
According to OPAZ, these companies are interested in investing in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and Sohar Free Zone to produce electricity from solar and wind energy as these are great sources for production of green hydrogen.
Encouraged by strong initial interest shown by international companies, OPAZ is aiming to place Oman in the global green hydrogen production chain through the special economic zones and free zones. Sohar Port and Freezone, as part of its green initiatives, which include solar energy and green hydrogen, is also planning to create the first green hydrogen hub in Oman.
Last year, India’s leading clean energy platform ACME Solar Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding with Oman Company for Development of Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Tatweer) to set up a green hydrogen and green ammonia facility in Duqm with a total investment of US$2.5bn. Tatweer and ACME have reportedly identified a site to set up the facility that will produce 2,200 metric tonnes of green ammonia per day.
Additionally, Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Omani energy firm ARA Petroleum have started a feasibility study for a hydrogen hybrid project which will be based on a local production and consumption model in the sultanate. The project aims to commence operations in 2023.
Source: muscatdaily
