GHSO executive committee meets to discuss conference agenda

Muscat: The executive committee, overseeing the delivery of a substantive and impactful edition of the Green Hydrogen Summit Oman (GHSO) later this year, met recently to review and fine-tune the conference agenda of the 3-day event.

Chaired by Mazin Al Lamki, CEO – Energy Development Oman (EDO), the Executive Committee meeting was also attended by the following: Abdulrahman Al Yahyaei, CEO – Oman Society for Petroleum Services (Opal); Nasser Al Rizeiqi, Director of Hydrogen Policies and Strategies – Ministry of Energy and Minerals; Almunther Abdullatif, Balance Sheet Optimization and Corporate Strategy at OQ; Mohammed Al Mukhaini, Oman LNG; and Abdullah Al Harthy, Chairman – Birba Energy.

In introductory remarks, Committee Chairman Mazin Al Lamki underlined the importance of green hydrogen to Oman’s sustainable energy and economic future.  He noted in this regard the significance of this year’s Green Hydrogen Summit Oman in bringing together industry leaders and technology providers to share ideas that will benefit Oman’s energy transition journey and bring together the necessary elements that would position Oman as an important player in the global Green Hydrogen sector.

Enabling Oman’s advantages in this sector will only be possible if all stakeholders are transparently deliberating solutions to current challenges while managing risks and uncertainties.

Current preliminary assessment suggests that Oman has the potential to become one of the most competitive Green Hydrogen producers in the region. Competitive financing and low-cost green power generation are key factors for success while maintaining an investor-friendly business environment.

Other key factors that bode well for strong investment inflows into this sector are the country’s advantageous geographical location and political stability, he further stressed.
A draft agenda prepared for the committee’s consideration was deliberated upon by the members. They stressed the need for the conference proceedings to make a strong pitch to attract FDI into the green energy sector and to position Oman as an investment destination for green industries as well. A final program that reflects the broad objectives of Oman’s national green energy strategy will be published after obtaining the requisite approvals from the authorities concerned.

GHSO 2022 will be held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) Muscat from December 5 – 7. As Oman’s signature platform for green hydrogen, this year’s edition of the GHSO Conference & Exhibition will focus primarily on the nation’s strategy to develop a world-class industry that, on the one hand, meets the energy requirements of the Sultanate’s future low-carbon economy, and on the other, serve as a major global supplier of the carbon-neutral fuel.  

Organised by Birba Energy in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the forum has already received sponsorship support from a number of leading energy companies, developers and technology providers. Energy Oman development (EDO) is the host sponsor, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the main sponsor, BP Oman gold sponsor, Sohar Aluminum silver sponsor and STS session sponsor, while Oman Society for Petroleum Services (Opal) has signed up as a strategic partner.

Also backing the event are leading global organisations notably the International Energy Agency (IEA), Green Hydrogen Lab, Arab- German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AKH German Industry and Commerce, and World Hydrogen Leaders.