Wednesday 11 / December / 2024
Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) announced on Wednesday the signing of landmark agreements with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) and TotalEnergies to develop three pivotal renewable Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects.
These projects are the North Solar 100MWac PV IPP, Riyah-1 Wind 100MWac IPP, and Riyah-2 Wind 100MWac IPP.
These projects represent a significant stride in PDO’s commitment to sustainability, aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040 and the national target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
The collaboration underscores PDO’s acceleration toward a low-carbon future through innovative renewable energy initiatives.
Collectively, the projects will harness Oman’s abundant solar and wind resources to diversify the country’s energy mix, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance sustainable energy.
Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, said, “The Sultanate of Oman has achieved significant strides in embedding sustainability principles to secure a prosperous future. PDO’s commitment and collaboration with key energy sector partners reflect our collective efforts to achieve the nation’s visions and goals. Today’s event highlights the strength of our national partnership in reducing carbon emissions and advancing the transition to clean energy sources, aligning with global trends toward a more sustainable future. This project also reinforces the trust placed in OQ Alternative Energy as a leading developer for this and future initiatives.”
Dr. Aflah Al Hadhrami, Managing Director of PDO, emphasised the company’s critical role in supporting Oman’s Net Zero ambitions saying, “These agreements further reinforce our steadfast commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, mainly the diversification of energy sources to ensure sustainable energy security.
He added, “PDO’s journey towards sustainability was firmly established with previous groundbreaking initiatives, including the Amin Solar IPP Power Plant and the Rima Water Treatment Project. These projects, alongside the ones signed today, continue to reshape Oman’s energy landscape by blending technological innovation with environmental stewardship. They also support our aim of sourcing 30% of our power capacity from renewables by 2026, reflecting our dedication to a cleaner, sustainable future.”
Further, Najla Zuhair Al Jamali, Chief Executive of OQ Alternative Energy said, “Energy transition is a significant journey for everyone. At OQ, we focus on sustainable growth in Oman’s energy sector and foster partnerships for a smooth energy transition. Our vision is to maximise the value of Oman’s energy resources while ensuring a sustainable future through innovative solutions that meet both current and future energy needs.”
The North Solar IPP, spanning an area of three-square kilometres will generate 100 MW of clean, renewable energy.
This utility-scale solar photovoltaic farm, scheduled to be commercially operated in Q2 2026, represents a major step in PDO’s renewable energy journey.
By harnessing the sun’s power, the project will reduce CO2 emissions by over 220,000 tonnes annually and save millions of cubic meters of natural gas each year.
Through utilising advanced renewable technology, North Solar IPP will Maximise energy diversification, ensuring a sustainable supply for future generations.
Moreover, the Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 wind farms, located in Amin and Nimr West, will collectively produce 200 MW of clean energy, revolutionising Oman’s energy landscape. These projects will be commercially operational by Q4 2026. Both on-shore wind projects set a remarkable global milestone, having the first oil and gas company as a sole buyer to integrate a wind farm into its grid.
The wind farms will save millions of cubic metres of gas annually, contributing significantly to cost savings and a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions collectively by approximately 740,000 tonnes.
