BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, Sept 27
The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) signed today a land lease agreement for the development of a major green hydrogen project of HYPORT Duqm, a joint initiative of OQ Alternative Energy (part of OQ, the Sultanate’s integrated energy group) and DEME Concessions of Belgium.
According to the agreement, HYPORT Duqm will moveve forward with early engineering works and site data collection to establish a Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).
The agreement was signed by Dr Ali Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ). Representing HYPORT Duqm were Dr Salim al Huthaili, CEO – OQ Alternative Energy and Chairman of Hyport Duqm Company, and Alain Bernard, Chairman and Managing Director of DEME Concessions.
The project will be established in part of the 150 sq km area allocated for renewable energy projects in the southern part of the SEZ. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, this land benefits from sunny and windy conditions and is thus ideal for onshore wind and solar PV farms with a combined capacity of 1.3 GW to be expandable project phases.
HYPORT Duqm is currently completing the installation and commissioning of four meteorological wind masts and two meteorological solar stations within the site in order to confirm Duqm’s excellent solar and wind conditions which are available throughout the year and which form the basis of a successful green hydrogen to green ammonia project.
The HYPORT Duqm project fits well with the Sultanate’s strategy of developing Al Wusta Governorate, while also contributing in achieving the renewable energy and other targets of the Oman Vision 2040.
Commenting on the land lease agreement, Eng Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, pointed out: “OPAZ welcomes this project in the Special Economic Zones at Duqm. It aspires to be a pioneering project that will introduce green hydrogen and green Ammonia to the country, which will lead the diversification beyond hydrocarbons efforts and contributing to Vision 2040.”
Dr Salim al Huthaili, CEO Alternative Energy at OQ commented: “The land reservation agreement is yet another milestone in the development of this important project. The Special Economic Zone at Duqm will be a global Green Hydrogen hub combining power, manufacturing and logistics activities while focusing on effort of decarbonisation and electrification.”
“The excellent renewable resources and the existing infrastructures along with the upcoming national grid connection make the Duqm zone an attractive and competitive destination for renewable projects. Oman continues to be a global leader in delivering clean energy projects to accelerate the energy transition effort,” he added.
Alain Bernard, Executive Chairman DEME Concessions, stated: “Our flagship Green Hydrogen project HYPORT Duqm strikes another important milestone which underwrites DEME Concessions’ strong commitment in making the necessary project progress. HYPORT Duqm responds not only to the call for projects supporting the global energy transition; the project will form an integral part of SEZAD’s ambitious growth under the strong leadership of OPAZ. Finally, this milestone strengthens DEME Concession’s sustainable, long-term presence in SEZAD, complementing e.g. its shareholder’s role in Port of Duqm.”
Earlier on Monday, Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), had discussed with Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy of Belgium, the localisation of clean hydrogen and ammonia industry in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.
The meeting also highlighted ways to ensure the entry of clean hydrogen and green ammonia products that will be produced in Duqm, by the Omani-Belgian HYPORT joint project, to European Union countries through the Belgian market.
