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Power infra needs to adapt to energy sector in transition: CIGRE

 
A power symposium organized by the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) was inaugurated under the auspices of Mohsen bin Hamed al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, yesterday in Muscat.

The three day forum focuses on “The transition toward resilient, flexible and sustainable power systems”.

'[This symposium allows us to] benefit from regional and global experiences and modern technologies that enable us to make good use of renewable energy by learning about technologies and mechanisms that help us understand storage methods and the sector's continued growth and development,' stated Al Hadhrami.

Chairman of the GCC CIGRE committee, Eng Ahmed Naser al Naser, shared the following, 'The global electricity sector is currently facing many challenges. The Muscat International Symposium is an opportunity to meet energy systems experts from around the world to discuss how infrastructure and electricity grids can adapt and adapt to rapid changes in the global energy mix.”

The forum includes panel discussions, technical tutorials and interactive sessions alongside a parallel exhibition.

According to CIGRE, more than 60 international energy experts are scheduled to speak at the symposium.

Eng Ahmed al Rahbi, Senior Director of Asset Management at Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) and CIGRE GCC board member, shared the following, “Oman is in the middle of a big shift. The Sultanate’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and its goal of becoming one of the leading producers of green hydrogen will affect power systems and grids in the Sultanate.”

He added, “[the shift] will require greater reliance on electricity production through renewable energy, which will require more flexible and powerful grids.”

“The symposium will provide an excellent opportunity for our engineers and specialists at the Omani Electricity Transport Company and the entire electricity sector to communicate with the best experts from around the world and learn about the latest technological trends and developments.'

The Sultanate of Oman has announced its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 last year. According to the Sultanate of Oman's national transition to net zero policy, the power sector accounts for 19% of the country's carbon emissions. However, the figure is expected to rise to 58% by 2050 under the current status quo due to an expected increase in electricity consumption.

92% of the Sultanate of Oman’s electricity is generated using fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. The national net-zero strategy aims to reduce this figure by 52% by 2050 through renewable energy sources.