United Solar Polysilicon’s $1.6bn project goes live in Oman

MUSCAT: The landmark polysilicon project of United Solar Polysilicon (USP) commenced operations at the Sohar Freezone over the weekend, marking Oman’s entry into advanced high-tech and clean-energy manufacturing and signaling progress toward participation in the global semiconductor and solar value chains.
The soft commencement comes ahead of a grand launch planned for next month, as disclosed by top representatives of the $1.6 billion project during the debt financing agreements signed last month. At full capacity, production of polysilicon — a key ingredient for the global solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain — will ramp up to 100,000 tonnes per annum (tpa), roughly equivalent to an annual nameplate capacity of 40 GW of solar modules.
Chinese equipment supplier Shuangliang Hydrogen, contracted to provide key technology for the Oman project, announced the project’s launch in a post dated February 7, 2026. The company supplied polycrystalline silicon reduction furnaces, hydrogen production equipment, and refrigeration systems for the high-purity polysilicon facility.
“On February 5, United Solar Polysilicon (USP)’s 100,000 tpa polysilicon project in Oman — one of the world’s most technologically advanced polysilicon plants — officially commenced operations at the Sohar Freezone,” the tech specialist, part of Shuangliang Group, noted in the post.
“The project represents a key component of the Middle East photovoltaic value chain and serves as a new connection point linking PV supply chains across Europe, Africa, and Asia,” it added.
The Chinese firm said it has supplied four sets of green power intelligent hydrogen production systems, with core performance indicators at an industry-leading level. “Looking ahead, Shuangliang will continue to build on its core technologies and innovation-driven approach, working closely with global partners to support the development of clean energy worldwide,” the company stated.
USP’s process uses key raw materials such as trichlorosilane and metallurgical-grade silicon, along with hydrogen produced from water electrolysis. The production chain includes steps such as air separation, hydrogenation, distillation, chemical vapor deposition, gas recovery, and final product finishing.
The resulting high-purity polysilicon rods are broken into smaller pieces and, when necessary, cleaned with acidic solutions to remove any surface contamination. Much of the gas and liquid used in production is recycled, while the remainder undergoes treatment before disposal.
An on-site silicon grinding facility, operated by a separate company, prepares the metallurgical-grade silicon feedstock for the polysilicon plant.
United Solar Polysilicon (USP) is backed by a mix of Omani and international investors, led by the Oman Investment Authority’s Future Fund Oman as a major shareholder, alongside the International Finance Corporation as a key development financier. The project is also supported by financing from local and regional banks, a strategic investment and offtake partner in Waaree Solar, and other shareholders at the United Solar Holding level, including private investors and the founding shareholders.