Construction on the Integrated Energy Valley to ensure green energy supply for the Duqm project, is fast progressing in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The project is likely to to be commissioned early 2027.
This is mainly to cater to the world's largest and the first-of-its kind green hydrogen-ready steel plant currently under construction in the Zone, built at an investment of $3 billion, where a range of clean energies will be used to power the same on round the clock basis.
While renewable wind and solar power will provide around 16 hours of electricity daily for the Vulcan Green Steel (VGS) plant, efforts are on to explore additional energy storage options to bridge the remaining 7-8 hours of supply.
Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony held under the auspices of Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones; and Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Group, Venkatesh Jindal, Vice-Chairman, Vulcan Green Steel, said that an MoU has been signed with the OQAE (the Alternative Energy vertical of OQ Group) to explore joint development of an Integrated Energy Valley (IEV).
"We are continuously exploring joint development of an Integrated Energy Valley (IEV) for the most anticipated project, Vulcan Green Steel, which is first-of-its-kind project in the GCC, thanks to the MoU entered into by Vulcan Green Energy (VGE) and OQAE. We will be utilising renewable energy sources in our operations which combine solar, wind and energy storage to provide round the clock, cost competitive green energy to meet the growing decarbonisation needs of large industries in Oman such as VGS. The IGV initiative aims to secure the plant’s green energy requirements until renewable hydrogen becomes available at Duqm,” he added.
Oman has embarked on many projects to meet the target of Oman Vision 2040 and the National Energy Strategy that envisage to derive at least 30 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030, the country has been exploring ways to expand its electricity generation capacities through renewable independent power projects (IPPs).
The PDO-driven Miraah concentrated solar power project of 2015, the 50 MW wind farm in Harweel, a 100 MW solar plant by PDO, and a 500MW solar PV project at Ibri are some of the renewable energy projects that have been commissioned or are currently under way.
Two more solar PV plants, each of 500 MW, are under development in Manah. Likewise, the ‘Sahim’ initiative supports the installation of small-scale solar systems on residential and commercial buildings - initiatives that stand testimony to the constant prosperity towards tapping renewable energy sources.
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