EV charging station opened at SQU

MUSCAT, JAN 21 - Nama Group sponsored the launch of the first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in the Sultanate at Sultan Qaboos University in cooperation with SQU’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre. The station was inaugurated under the patronage of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of SQU for Postgraduate Studies and Research with the presence of Nama Group CEOs, as well as senior officials from the Public and Private Sector and representatives from Sultan Qaboos University, and the related authorities.

Being the main sponsor of the establishment of this station, Nama Group aims to support the government’s efforts towards environmental conservation and sustainable resource management and is part of Nama’s sustainability strategy in keeping pace with the global trends in using clean energy and the empowerment of scientific research in the energy fields. The station is designed to carry out research on charging of electric vehicles and to measure the efficiency of electricity chargers.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Mansoor bin Talib al Hinai, Vice-President for Distribution and Supply in Nama Group said: “Through its sponsorship of the launch of the first solar-powered electric power station, the Group seeks to promote the use of electric power in the Transportation Sector, as well as in the development sectors in the Sultanate. Nama Group’s approach is in line with the aspirations of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre in the research and development process, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the development and consolidation of a sustainable infrastructure for the national economy. The initiative was an extension of the results of Musharakah Conference participation in 2017 organised by the Group which was intended to create the future of the electricity sector scenarios where we dealt with the future of electric vehicles. We as a Group will strive to meet local market requirements for electrical energy and keep pace with technological development in this area. “

Dr Amer bin Saif al Hinai, Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University, said; “The Sultan Qaboos University, represented by the Centre for Sustainable Energy Research, has been keen to launch this station, which is part of the Centre’s strategies in keeping with the global trend towards sustainable clean energy. We also thank Nama Group and all concerned parties for the construction of this station. We also commend all the efforts exerted by the companies and institutions supporting the idea of promoting the future of electric vehicles in the Sultanate, offering more of these initiatives to promote the development components of the national economy. “

The launch of this station coincides with Global EVRT’s event, which includes the Electric Vehicle Road Trip, consisting of 10 electric cars. The route is scheduled to depart from the United Arab Emirates to Oman and then return to the UAE from 18 to 22 January 2018. It is worth mentioning that the road trip stopped in Sohar on 20 January 2018 to celebrate the inauguration of the first electric vehicle charging station to be operated by electricity.

After the inauguration ceremony at SQU, the convoy will continue for the construction of six additional charging stations during its journey in the Sultanate.