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As part of the strategies regarding transition of power generation to renewable energy sources, Oman targets 60 per cent of national energy needs from renewables including solar and wind turbines by 2040.
According to the Oman National Spatial Strategy report, locations of infrastructure projects and renewable energy sites including solar farms and onshore/offshore wind farms, with the provision of planned internal and external interconnection networks have already been identified.
In addition, focus will be on planning and developing necessary energy storage projects, to achieve preservation goals and improve system stability and flexibility.
“This is expected to provide an attractive environment for investors to implement projects with confidence,” points out the report.
An efficient infrastructure system, says the report, “is to develop green and innovative infrastructure ensuring that renewable sources of energy generation and supply are at the forefront of all services and that infrastructure networks within urban and rural settlements are available at a realistic and affordable price”.
By 2025, it aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy source, and targets to achieve 10 per cent electricity from renewable energy.
The plans include installed generating capacity from a base 8,950 megawatt to a plan target of 28,544 megawatt.
While the solar capacity generated from large-scale solar plants is estimated to be from a base 100 megawatt to a target of 13,400 megawatt, the installed energy from offshore wind/installed waste to energy capacity will be from a base of 50 megawatt a target of 3,300 megawatt/1350 megawatt.
“The Sultanate aims a balanced and equitable development to enhance the competitive and comparative advantages of governorates and urban areas”, affirms the strategy which is prepared in line with Oman Vision 2040 and UN Habitat Sustainable Development Goals.
This goal ensures everyone has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. This requires investing in clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and thermal, as well as expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean energy.
Oman provides electricity to 100 per cent of its population, 99.3 per cent of which use clean energy and technology.
The main projects include a wind farm in Dhofar; two solar IPPs in Manah; 11 solar-diesel hybrid facilities; and the ‘Sahim’ initiative to install small-scale solar panels on residential and commercial buildings, among others.
The Oman National Spatial Strategy is the national framework for guiding Oman’s spatial development sustainably for the next 20 years and seeks to balance socio-economic development while preserving the Sultanate’s valuable natural and cultural resources for the next generations.
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