New project to pilot biodiesel use in Oman’s construction sector

MUSCAT: International construction group STRABAG has embarked on a pioneering biodiesel pilot project in Oman in cooperation with Wakud, marking a potentially significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint of construction activities and encouraging the wider adoption of alternative fuels across the Sultanate’s industrial and contracting sectors.
The initiative will assess the technical and operational feasibility of using B7 biodiesel in heavy construction machinery under actual site conditions. The project supports Oman’s energy transition ambitions and its national commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to STRABAG Oman, the pilot is planned to run for approximately three months under two-shift operating conditions, consuming an estimated 27,400 litres of B7 fuel. Initial trials will involve a Caterpillar 966GC wheel loader, with its performance closely monitored before any decision on extending the programme to additional equipment.
B7 contains up to 7 per cent biodiesel blended with conventional diesel. STRABAG selected this blend as a practical starting point because it falls within the permitted biodiesel content under the EN 590 diesel standard, subject to applicable fuel quality specifications and equipment manufacturer requirements.
The company will evaluate fuel consumption, engine performance, operational reliability, maintenance requirements and day-to-day equipment performance. Findings will help determine whether biodiesel can be integrated into construction operations without compromising productivity or equipment reliability.
Significantly, STRABAG estimates that approximately 50 per cent of its construction equipment fleet in Oman could potentially be suitable for B7, although any wider deployment will depend on the pilot results, machinery compatibility and reliable fuel supplies.
The initiative is among the pioneering efforts to test biodiesel in construction machinery under operating site conditions in Oman, according to the company. Its significance extends beyond STRABAG's operations, potentially establishing a practical reference for other contractors, industrial operators and equipment-intensive businesses considering lower-carbon alternatives to conventional diesel.
The environmental implications are considerable. Buildings and construction account for approximately 38 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to figures cited by STRABAG, underscoring the sector's importance in international decarbonisation efforts.
The pilot also forms part of STRABAG Group's longer-term sustainability strategy, which encompasses more than 200 innovation projects and 450 sustainability projects internationally.
Under its science-based emissions reduction targets, STRABAG aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42 per cent and Scope 3 emissions by 25 per cent by 2030, following its 2023–2030 reduction pathway.
The group is pursuing alternative propulsion technologies, renewable fuels and low-carbon construction materials. Its European operations already have experience with B7 and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), providing a foundation for evaluating similar technologies in Oman.
Looking ahead, STRABAG says it may consider higher biodiesel blends and other low-carbon fuels if the pilot proves successful. However, the company acknowledges that wider commercial adoption will require improvements in fuel availability, competitive pricing, supplier diversity and supply-chain reliability.