MUSCAT, AUGUST 11
An Oman-based clean energy startup has unveiled plans to introduce small-scale hydrogen production plants in the Sultanate of Oman that are designed to convert municipal solid waste into hydrogen for sustainable transportation and other green energy applications.
Manah Hydrogen, the Muscat-headquartered entity behind the groundbreaking initiative, is the brainchild of Donald Winsor, a Canada-based international expert specializing in hydrogen-based solutions for clean energy, transportation, and industrial applications.
Manah Hydrogen, owned 100 per cent by Winsor, has pledged to invest an initial amount of RO 15 million in the construction of the first two pilots – one in the Wilayat of Manah (Al Dakhiliyah Governorate), and the other in Muscat Governorate. A collaborative arrangement with state-owned be’ah, which oversees the management of all solid wastes in the country, is envisioned as well.
“Our project has a bold vision to transform the landscape of energy production through sustainable practices,” said Winsor. “In partnership with be’ah, we are leading the way with two pioneering waste-to-energy pilot initiatives, featuring a modular facility capable of scaling effortlessly with W2H and FLEET technologies. Our aim is to establish a dynamic circular solution that not only addresses environmental concerns, but also generates valuable resources.”
Each pilot centres around the deployment of a 1-tonne per day capacity integrated plant that will utilize a mix of municipal solid waste, biogenics and waste plastics as feedstock. Clean energy output is estimated in the range of 110 – 140 kg per day of commercially valuable carbon-negative hydrogen.
With a physical footprint of just two 20-feet containers, the plant can be conveniently deployed at, for example, waste transfer stations, marinas, malls and local communities that generate organic and municipal waste as feedstock.
Speaking to the Observer, Winsor said the company is currently discussing a partnership arrangement with be’ah covering not only access to municipal waste as feedstock, but potentially also supplying the latter with clean hydrogen for its fleet transportation requirements. A memorandum of cooperation (MoU) is anticipated to be signed by the two sides before the end of this month, he stated.
Additionally, Manah Hydrogen is exploring the potential to install and operate a similar waste-to-hydrogen pilot at Al Mouj Muscat, the biggest and most prestigious of Oman’s integrated tourism complexes. The goal, said Winsor, is to enable communities, such as Al Mouj, to achieve their Net Zero goals through the deployment of circular economy solutions that not address concerns over waste disposal, but also generate sustainable clean fuels.
Given the potential for the wider rollout of waste-to-hydrogen (W2H) solutions across Oman, Winsor has invited local Omani players to partner with him in advancing his pioneering initiative.
“Having an Oman individual or company (as an investor) fits into our long term strategy of building an Omani company where, in the end, my foundation owns 20% for creating generational sustainable legacies,” he added.
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