SALALAH: The fifth Salalah Engineering Forum will open on September 1, Tuesday under the theme 'Energy Transformation Engineering: Applied Innovations for a Flexible Clean Energy Infrastructure', bringing together experts, specialists, academics and decision-makers to examine the engineering challenges and opportunities shaping Oman’s transition towards a cleaner and more resilient energy system.
Organised by the Oman Society of Engineers in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the two-day forum in the Wilayat of Salalah will focus on practical engineering solutions and innovations that can support the development of sustainable, reliable and flexible energy infrastructure.
The forum comes at a time when the global energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the expansion of renewable energy, advances in energy storage and artificial intelligence, growing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the development of low-carbon hydrogen.
Discussions will focus on four main themes: the integration of renewable energy and energy storage; grid resilience and the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector; decarbonisation and low-carbon hydrogen; and energy efficiency and the circular economy.
The event is also expected to provide a platform for participants from Oman and abroad to exchange expertise and explore opportunities for cooperation in addressing the technical and infrastructure challenges associated with the energy transition.
Said bin Mohammed al Maktoumi, Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Oman Society of Engineers, said the organisation of the forum reflects the Society’s commitment to strengthening the contribution of engineering to sustainable development.
He said the Society was also seeking to expand its initiatives beyond Muscat Governorate and enhance professional engagement across Oman’s governorates.
The forum, he added, would contribute to consolidating Dhofar Governorate as a platform for specialised engineering dialogue, while strengthening links between engineering-sector outputs and national development priorities.
The event will feature 31 speakers and panellists, with more than 22 scientific papers to be presented during four specialised scientific sessions. Two additional dialogue sessions will provide opportunities to discuss challenges facing the energy sector and examine potential areas for development and cooperation.
The wide participation is expected to highlight the importance of coordination among government institutions, energy companies, engineering professionals, academia and other stakeholders as Oman advances its energy transition.
The forum will also examine how technological innovation can contribute to creating energy systems that are not only cleaner but also more flexible and capable of responding to changing demand and supply conditions.
Particular attention will be given to renewable energy and storage technologies, which are becoming increasingly important as countries seek to integrate greater amounts of renewable power into their energy systems while maintaining grid stability and reliability.
Artificial intelligence is another key area of discussion, reflecting the growing use of digital technologies to improve energy management, forecasting, efficiency and infrastructure resilience.
The forum will also address decarbonisation and low-carbon hydrogen, areas that are central to Oman’s emerging energy strategy and its wider efforts to reduce emissions while developing new economic opportunities.
An exhibition will be held alongside the forum, providing private-sector and academic institutions with an opportunity to showcase their initiatives, solutions and specialised programmes in engineering and energy.
The exhibition will also feature eight graduation projects from eight universities across Oman as part of the Energy Horizon 2026 Award for the best graduation project.
The projects will compete by presenting engineering solutions and innovations aimed at supporting developments in energy and sustainability.
The initiative is intended to strengthen connections between Oman’s academic and industrial sectors, while creating opportunities for partnerships, cooperation and the adoption of promising ideas and projects.
The organisers said the forum reflects Oman’s broader efforts to support innovation, develop national capabilities and strengthen the role of engineering expertise in achieving sustainable development.
By bringing together professionals and institutions from different sectors, the event aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the technical requirements of the energy transition and identify practical solutions that can support the development of a more efficient, flexible and sustainable energy system.
The forum is also aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, particularly efforts to promote innovation, develop national competencies and support the transition towards a more sustainable economy. — ONA
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