Oman to launch Green Hydrogen Alliance

@conradprabhu

Adding new momentum to its ambitions to jumpstart the growth of a Green Hydrogen economy in the country, Oman is preparing to create an ‘alliance’ of local and international investors and related stakeholders to help accelerate development of zero-carbon energy projects in the Sultanate.

A framework for the proposed ‘Oman Green Hydrogen Alliance’ is currently being discussed by key players at the forefront of efforts to position the Sultanate as a hub for the large-scale production of green hydrogen, according to a top official of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

“We just circulated (a draft) to the different companies that are partners with us in the potential for creating a hydrogen alliance within the Sultanate,” said Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi (pictured), Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

“We are finalising the terms of the Hydrogen Alliance so that it doesn’t infringe on any issues to do with confidentiality, misuse, and so on. That’s on its way. Soon we will be signing that (document) with most of the partners, particularly from the private sector — both local and international companies — to try and give new momentum to the hydrogen economy (strategy).”

The official made the announcement in opening remarks during a recent webinar on the theme, ‘Green Hydrogen Demand and Certification’, jointly organised by leading global management consulting firm Guidehouse and the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK). The online event was supported by Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

Over the past year, international developers from Germany, Belgium, India, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Japan, besides Oman, have unveiled plans to launch commercial-scale green hydrogen ventures in the Sultanate. The list includes what is billed as potentially the world’s largest green hydrogen project — a 25 GW behemoth — planned for implementation in Al Wusta Governorate. OQ, the Sultanate’s global integrated energy group, is leading a consortium that includes investors from Hong Kong and Kuwait in the development of the giant scheme.

The strength of investor interest in green hydrogen opportunities in the Sultanate has been unprecedented, said Al Aufi in his remarks.

“For the last few years, I’ve not seen momentum as (strong) as this, particularly on the subject of green hydrogen. It is fuelled not only by the fact that it makes a lot of commercial sense, but also by the fact that there are a lot of technological advancements happening in different parts of the world that are making the commercial even more attractive.”

Aside from the promising commercials of these projects, the pursuit of green hydrogen also makes abundant sense from the standpoint of Oman’s commitments to climate mitigation goals, he noted. “We are aligned when it comes to the commercials, and we also aligned when it comes to the environment. For our part, we need to meet the local requirement for green hydrogen and generate enough so that we are also contributing to the global economy,” the Under-Secretary added.

The webinar also featured presentations and remarks by, among others, Yousuf bin Said al Amri, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to Germany; Thomas Schneider, German Ambassador to the Sultanate; Thorsten Herdan, Director-General — German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy; Dr Salim al Huthaili, CEO — Alternative Energy, OQ; Olav Carlsen, CFO — Hydrogen Rise; Dr Khalil al Hanashi, Energy Value Chain Lead, Energy Renewal; and Ali al Rawahi, Project Delivery Manager — PDO.