How Oman channelises its efforts on sustainable energy today will pave the way for a greener future that is in line with the targets posed by Oman Vision 2040. Here are some of the greatest developments, targets, and challenges faced in the sector today as per Dr. Amer Al-Hinai, Associate Professor and Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Center, at the Sultan Qaboos University.

Dr. Amer from the Sustainable Energy Research Center focuses on energy policies and strategy issues, renewable energy, integrated power systems, energy management and rational use, and their economic and social aspects.

Below are excerpts of the conversation with him:

What are your views on the progress of renewable energy in Oman?

While Oman might be considered late in the deployment of renewable energy, the first step was the restructuring of the electricity sector that started in 2005. The main focus was to elevate the level of the sector in order to cope with the country’s development and to meet the demand.

Later on, studies and policies have been put in place to diversify energy resources and to consider alternative energy. In addition, Oman supports the UN initiatives and signed several protocols to reduce greenhouse gases emission.

Accordingly, we have seen that Oman 2040 Vision directly set up targets to utilize renewable energy and safeguard the environment. Currently, the electricity sector is executing an ambitious plan to achieve the RE targets.

In your opinion, what is going to be the role of renewable energy in the overall energy landscape of Oman in the coming years?

Oman 2040 Vision renewable energy targets are 20% by 2030 and 35-39% by 2040 of total consumption should come from renewable energy.

We will witness major contribution from both solar and wind energy to be deployed in the grid especially after expanding the transmission network from the North to the South (MIS to Duqm and later to Dhofar).

Oman is blessed with solar energy almost everywhere and wind resources in the southern coastal area that allows large-scale utilization of renewable energy.

What are the major challenges in optimally harnessing the potential of renewable energy in Oman? And how they could be overcome?  

The major challenges are the limited interconnections of the Oman grid with other grids, which is expected to limit the penetration level of renewable energy resources in the future.

In addition, the issue of harsh environment and dust that affect the performance of solar systems. Such challenges can be resolved with the advancement in renewable energy management systems, low-cost energy storage solutions, and R&D in new renewable energy technology to cope with local environmental challenges.

What are the major objectives of the Sustainable Energy Research Center?

The Sustainable Energy Research Center is the first research center in the Sultanate dedicated to sustainable energy. It covers research themes that include energy policy and strategy issues, renewable energy, integrated power systems, energy management and rational use, and their economic and social aspects.

The Center aims to unify the individual efforts of energy researchers from Sultan Qaboos University to be under one umbrella covering all areas of sustainable energy. The Center also aims to provide energy consultancy for all sectors and provide scientific research that invests in the graduation of Master’s and doctorate students.

Kindly tell us about the renewable energy-oriented initiatives of the Sustainable Energy Research Center.

The Center currently focuses on research related to challenges of renewable energy deployment in Oman such as the development of energy management system of hybrid renewable energy resources, the impact of dust in solar PV systems and mitigation methods, assessment of offshore wind resources, and evaluation of energy storage methods.

What have been the major achievements of the Sustainable Energy Research Center?

One of the major achievements is the strong collaboration with the industry. The Center signed several collaboration agreements with several industries both local and international. SERC is certified by DCRP to deliver PV design and installation training course.

Lastly, in the coming years, what are going to be the focus areas of the Sustainable Energy Research Center?

The Center currently executed a research to utilize methanol as a fuel for electricity generation in a hybrid setup with renewables. The plan is to consider the production of green hydrogen and green methanol from renewable energy. Both can be utilized in many industrial applications and can be utilized for electricity production, hence as energy storage.