MUSCAT, DEC 11
The Sultanate of Oman anticipates green hydrogen output rising to a global-scale 25 – 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) when all 50,000 sq kilometres of acreage currently earmarked for the production of this zero carbon energy resource is fully developed over the coming decades.
This compares with a target of around 1 MTPA of green hydrogen starting from 2030, rising to 3.75 MTPA by 2040 before hitting 8.5 MTPA by 2050 when a national commitment to be carbon neutral looms.
The scope and magnitude of Oman’s renewable hydrogen sector were outlined by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, at the Doha Forum, held in the Qatari capital, on Sunday.
Participating in a panel discussion on the theme, ‘Energy Transition: Powering up Green Cooperation between Europe and the Gulf’, Al Aufi said Oman is well-positioned to emerge as a global hub for green hydrogen production.
“We have established, through a Royal Decree, the allotment of over 50,000 square kilometres dedicated primarily for the production of green hydrogen through renewable energy from solar as well as wind. We think the area is extremely competitive: it’s probably one of the top four or five locations globally that can offer the lowest possible cost of hydrogen,” Al Aufi said.
“We have already started a very transparent and open auction system last year. Two areas have been signed as a result of that auction process. Three additional locations were also signed – these are legacy initiatives that we have been in discussion with them prior to the framework. We honoured that discussion and we signed three agreements. So five in total were signed that potentially give us almost 50 - 60 percent of the target we set for 2030, which is a million tonnes of hydrogen.”
Local Qatari English language daily Gulf Times, in a report on the panel discussion, quoted Al Aufi as affirming Oman’s goal to become a global-scale producer over the long-term.
“Our ultimate target, of course, is much bigger than that. We believe if all these lands are consumed in renewable energy production and hydrogen, then we could be potentially producing anywhere between 25 million to 30 million tonnes of hydrogen, which is extremely sizable, even by world demand.”
Joining the Omani minister in the panel discussion were: Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Gulf region; Dr Elif Calik of Women in Smart Energy - WSE UK; and Dr Cinzia Bianco, Gulf Research Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.
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