Haider Al lawati -
haiderdawood@hotmail.com -
Renewable energy projects in the Sultanate are bearing fruit since the government and private institutions starting adopting projects that contribute to enhancing countries’ infrastructure.
Renewable energy projects, especially of solar energy, have become available today for various establishments in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and other service projects in roads, houses, schools and businesses along with oil and gas projects.
No doubt, the annual population growth witnessed in the Sultanate due to the increase in the number of expatriates on one hand and annual population growth on the other requires the promotion of solar and wind energy projects.
It is common knowledge that some important sectors such as industry, tourism, agriculture and fisheries need rapid expansion to achieve economic vision.
Over 10 per cent of electricity requirements in Oman, for example, can be produced from renewable energy resources in the coming years.
There are currently a number of companies and institutions managing a special energy system to provide it for both citizens and expatriates. Solar energy has become in some countries the vital and strategic solution for the provision of electric power.
Oman is heading in that direction since it has massive untapped land area that can be used to benefit from solar energy and expand these projects. It is the perfect choice for meeting energy needs of people and enhancing the targeted economic diversification.
While the government is seeking to use a large amount of solar energy to meet the needs of internal electricity in different areas and allocate some of it for export, some companies, including PDO, have started conserving natural gas resources in the Sultanate in heavy oil production by harnessing solar energy to produce extracted oil.
Some companies have also taken steps to pave the way for homeowners to install solar panels on their rooftops.
In this regard, the “mirror” solar thermal project, which is one of the largest solar energy projects in Oman’s national energy strategy for 2040, seeks to harness solar to produce steam used in oil production in the country.
The recently-launched Electricity Regulatory Authority Renewable Energy Initiative “contribute” announced the Sultanate’s start of a new phase in the field of energy. As for wind energy, the country is seeking to utilise these projects by preparing for the construction of the first wind power generating in the Governorate of Dhofar.
The government has begun to attract investors from the private sector for these vital projects in renewable energy to produce more energy and meet the needs of economic institutions in productive sectors.
In the future, it is possible that solar energy becomes gradually cheaper in the Sultanate. It could also be the best return for investment, which will help more new businesses and employment and bring about a radical change in the diversification of the Omani economy.
Oman’s vision is clear in diversifying sources of income, and work is underway through the current Five-Year Plan, workshops and ‘Tanfeedh’ programme, which can achieve a lot they are not affected by personal or bureaucratic decisions. This is what needs to be done: implement projects without obstacles or challenges, and in a timely manner.
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