Oman and TotalEnergies target renewable projects

OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE), Oman’s state-backed renewable energy company, has signed joint-venture agreements with France’s TotalEnergies to develop 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects nationwide.

The power generated will be supplied through long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), an exploration and production company.

TotalEnergies and OQAE will own 49 percent and 51 percent of the joint venture, which will oversee three projects: a 100MW North Solar project in Saih Nihaydah, northern Oman, and Riyah 1 and 2, two 100MW wind projects in Amin and West Nimr fields in southern Oman.

Construction will start in early 2025, with electricity production expected in late 2026. These solar and wind projects will generate over 1.4 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually.

The construction of the three projects will provide long-term renewable electricity to PDO and support the Sultanate in its energy transition, said Olivier Jouny, senior vice president renewables at TotalEnergies.

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The Amin Solar IPP power plant and the Rima water treatment project, alongside the new ones, will reshape Oman’s energy landscape, generating 30 percent of power capacity from renewables by 2026, said Dr Aflah Al Hadhrami, managing director of PDO.

No financial details were given.

The country has set a goal for achieving net zero emissions by 2050, aligning with its 2040 vision.