The word green hydrogen has become common among many countries, especially in recent times.
Green hydrogen is an important component of decarbonisation efforts because it is a versatile material that can store chemical energy and is also environmentally friendly, and can replace coal and gas as feedstocks in the steel industry.
The Sultanate of Oman seeks to be a global centre for hydrogen production, depending on the presence of the main ingredients for its production, which are represented in solar energy, wind energy, extended lands, human resources, its experience in energy production and export, and its position in the markets.
Officials in the Sultanate of Oman are adopting an ambitious plan aimed at transforming the country into a leading destination in the field of green hydrogen production. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals is developing an ambitious strategy to advance the green hydrogen economy in the country. This comes in line with the Sultanate of Oman’s ambition to reach carbon neutrality by using green (clean) energy sources by 2050.
GREEN HYDROGEN
The Sultanate is working hard to become one of the leading countries in the production of green hydrogen in the world, in addition to creating a competitive sector in this sector, devoting an attractive environment for direct foreign investments, supporting innovation and developing local capabilities.
Eng Abdulaziz bin Said al Shaithani, General Director of the Directorate-General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, previously said: “The ministry is in the process of appointing a specialised house of expertise to evaluate and study the existing legislation related to the sector and investment in it, and its adequacy and suitability, and start developing opportunities in the sector and work in parallel to determine the need for more legislation and the need for a special law.”
Eng Al Shaithani stated that the strategic objectives of the Sultanate of Oman of investing in green hydrogen are to contribute to the security of energy supplies locally and globally, diversify the local economy, expand supply chains and associated industries, create attractive local job opportunities and reduce carbon emissions.
The most recent achievement of the Sultanate of Oman in the field is the inauguration of the first dual-combustion truck by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, as part of the ministry’s efforts in the carbon neutrality programme 2050 (transport axis).
Engineer Said bin Saif al Shibli, a mechanical engineer, said, “Blue Eyes is the first company operating in this field, and it is a 100-per cent Omani company. It has tested 20 per cent of hydrogen gas injection into the engine, and it will be 40 per cent next August. We are seeking to market the product within the Sultanate of Oman and the Middle East, reaching the global markets during the next year.”
The ‘fuel of the future’ is green hydrogen, which is essentially hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of water based on renewable energy. The resulting energy carrier can be used in many power applications. It can also be used in the form of hydrogen or converted into other derivatives for use in the fields of industry, energy or transportation which supports the decarbonisation of difficult sectors such as heavy industry, long-distance shipping, transportation and aviation.
The Sultanate of Oman attaches great importance to attracting foreign direct investment in this sector, which will provide the Sultanate of Oman with an environment conducive to achieving the desired balance between sustainable development goals and limiting the effects of climate change, while achieving the maximum possible benefit from clean technology, and not relying entirely on fossil fuels as an energy source within the framework of Oman Vision 2040.
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