Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals has signed an agreement with British energy company BP to construct a multi-gigawatt renewable energy and green hydrogen project by 2030. According to the reports, bp will collect and analyse solar and wind data from 8,000 km2 of land as part of the agreement. The information will then assist the Omani government in sanctioning future renewable energy hub developments in the most appropriate areas. The renewable energy resources in this area could also be used to construct green hydrogen projects aimed at both domestic and international markets.
According to the company’s statement, the agreement is a crucial step towards achieving the country’s 2040 Vision, which includes a goal of increasing renewable energy penetration to 39 per cent by 2030, with a 20 per cent interim goal. BP and Oman will also explore methods to collaborate on a renewables strategy, regulation, the formation of a renewable energy hub, and the development and reskilling of the local workforce as part of the new relationship.
In August 2021, ACME signed an agreement to advance a 3.5 GW green hydrogen and green ammonia facility in Oman. The agreement was signed with the Oman government’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones. The deal entailed an investment of $3.5 billion in the Special Economic Zone at the Port of Duqm in central Oman. The integrated facility would produce 2,400 tonnes of green ammonia daily with an expected production of approximately 900,000 tons. The electrolysers at the facility would be powered by 3 GW of solar energy and 0.5 GW of wind energy. The plant would be developed in phases and the first phase is likely to be commissioned by the end of 2022.