Solar power: Oman shapes its own energy future

Solar power has become the fastest growing source of electricity worldwide, transforming energy systems at a pace that analysts once thought impossible. Recent global assessments show unprecedented momentum in solar deployment as countries commit to cleaner, more resilient power systems. In 2024 alone, the world added around 585 gigawatts of renewable capacity, most of it solar, marking a 15 per cent increase from the previous year (IRENA, 2025). This pushed total global installed renewable capacity to roughly 4.45 terawatts and solidified solar’s position at the core of global energy expansion.

Projections remain even more striking. Solar is expected to account for nearly 80 per cent of all new renewable electricity capacity added between 2025 and 2030. Independent research also shows that solar generation is now growing faster than global electricity demand, signalling a structural shift in power markets as daytime solar output lowers average system costs. Analysts note that the world is entering a phase where solar is not simply supplementing energy supply but actively reshaping grid operations and investment behaviour.

Technological progress is accelerating the trend. Tandem perovskite–silicon cells have surpassed 33 per cent efficiency in laboratory tests, with pilot production beginning in several major manufacturing hubs (AP News, 2025). Advances in bifacial modules, floating solar, agrivoltaics and AI-driven system optimisation are moving into commercial deployment. At the same time, global manufacturing capacity for solar modules and components continues to expand as countries seek to localise supply chains for energy security. Long-duration battery storage technologies are maturing, enabling solar-rich regions to meet evening peak demand more reliably.

For Oman, these global shifts are timely and strategically significant. The country has one of the world’s strongest solar resources, with annual irradiation levels that position it among the most suitable regions for large-scale solar development . National diversification plans already call for substantial increases in renewable generation, supported by competitive utility-scale projects producing some of the region’s lowest electricity tariffs.

Emerging project designs in Oman increasingly reflect global technology progression. New solar developments are expected to incorporate bifacial panels, single-axis tracking and performance analytics to maximise output throughout the day. There is also rising interest in distributed solar for industrial estates and remote communities, where rooftop systems and microgrids can displace diesel consumption and improve energy resilience. Floating solar on reservoirs and solar-plus-storage integrations are being explored as the technology becomes financially viable and globally proven.

Oman’s green hydrogen ambitions add further weight to solar deployment. Electrolyser cost reductions and global manufacturing growth are making large-scale hydrogen production increasingly feasible in solar-rich regions. As international markets signal long-term demand for clean fuels, Oman’s high solar potential becomes a core driver of future industrial and economic growth.

The global evidence is clear: solar energy is entering a new era defined by speed, scale and technological sophistication. The world must accelerate even further to meet energy security and climate targets, yet the trajectory of innovation is strong. For Oman, this moment offers a distinct opportunity to convert its natural solar advantage into long-term energy independence, competitive hydrogen production and regional leadership in renewable power.

As solar continues to advance worldwide, Oman stands ready to benefit from a technology that is rapidly becoming the backbone of modern energy systems.