Muscat, October 9th, 2024 – The inaugural edition of the Oman–France Energy Day, organized by Business France, the public consulting agency serving the international development of the French economy, with the support of the French Embassy, made its debut on October 8th in Muscat, marking a significant step toward fostering new partnerships and collaborations. A prestigious delegation of 40 innovative French companies, brought together by MEDEFI and Business France, showcased the strong interest of French industry leaders in aligning with Oman’s vision for a greener, more sustainable future. This event highlights the commitment of both nations to work together in driving forward clean energy initiatives and sustainable development.
During the opening speech, H.E. Nabil Hajlaoui, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Sultanate of Oman, emphasized the inspiring cooperation between Oman and France in pursuing a more sustainable and greener future.
We were honored to welcome H.E. Salim Al Aufi, Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals, who delivered a keynote speech on Oman’s ambitious decarbonization plan for the next decade, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Key Presentations and Discussions:
The event featured a series of insightful presentations addressing critical energy topics in Oman. The discussions opened by exploring smarter resource utilization, aiming to reduce consumption and drive more sustainable operations across industries. A key focus was on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), with experts discussing its potential to mitigate emissions and support Oman’s carbon reduction goals. The conversation around new technologies and innovations highlighted the latest advancements in clean energy, demonstrating how they can accelerate the country’s transition to a greener energy mix. The future of hydrogen was also explored, presenting a major opportunity for Oman to become a leader in clean fuel production and support the nation’s long-term energy strategy.
The participation of key partners such as Ipac Valsem, Technip Energies, and TotalEnergies Oman added valuable perspectives, further underscoring their commitment to supporting Oman’s vision for advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Oman’s Path to 2030: Boosting Renewables and Green Hydrogen
The Sultanate of Oman is planning to derive at least 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, primarily through solar and wind projects, with significant investments in infrastructure. Key initiatives include the development of five new wind power stations and a pipeline of renewable energy projects totaling over 5 GW. Additionally, Oman is targeting the production of 1 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, supported by a $140 billion investment in the green hydrogen sector until 2050. These efforts reflect Oman’s commitment to transitioning to a sustainable energy landscape while enhancing its competitiveness in the global market.
French Expertise Driving Franco-Omani Energy Collaboration
In 2024, several major Franco-Omani energy projects are set to enhance collaboration between France and Oman. One of the key initiatives is the Marsa LNG project, developed primarily by TotalEnergies, which will have a capacity of 1 million tons per year and be powered entirely by a 300 MW solar farm. This project not only aims to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) but also positions Oman as a leader in low-carbon energy production.
Additionally, EDF Renewables is part of a consortium working on a significant 4.5 GW solar and wind energy installation in Oman aiming to produce more green hydrogen, aligning with the country’s goal to diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint. In fact, EDF Renewable will soon inaugurate Manah 1, a solar installation of a capacity of 500MW. Furthermore, Engie is leading a green ammonia project in Duqm, aiming to produce up to 1.2 million tons per year by 2030.
A Collaborative Approach to Sustainability and Clean Energy
From sustainability and innovative technologies to the transition towards clean energy, this event addressed the key challenges Oman faces in building a more sustainable energy future. The French delegation also featured prominent industry leaders from France and the UAE, including Air Liquide, CMA CGM, EDF, Enova highlighting their commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and supporting Oman’s energy ambitions.
You can find more information about the participating companies here:
Participants
AIR LIQUIDE
AVENTA
CAPEFRONT ME
CMA-CGM
Dolfines
EDF
ENOVA
FIVES
FUJI ELECTRIC FRANCE
GRENIER ASSISTANCE TECHNIQUE ET SUPERVISION
GROUPE M - MONTEIRO
H-EXPERTISE SERVICES S.A.S.
IPAC VALSEM INDUSTRIES
IRIAN MECATRONICS
LOUIS DREYFUS
MPH INTERNATIONAL
TECHNIP ENERGIES
TOP INDUSTRIE
TOTAL ENERGIES
About Business France
Business France is the public consulting agency serving the international development of the French economy. It is responsible for fostering export-led growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating foreign investment in France.
It promotes France’s firms, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the VIE international internship program.
Business France has more than 1,400 personnel, both in France and in 53 countries throughout the world.
In 2023, support from Business France made it possible to generate €3.3 billion in additional export revenues for French SMEs and mid-size companies, accounting for more than 27,111 jobs created or planned. Business France supported 58% of the 1,815 foreign investment decisions in 2023, accounting for 67% of the 59,254 jobs created or maintained nationwide.
For more info, feel free to contact:
Hajer BCHIR
Communications Advisor– Business France Middle East
Mail: hajer.bchir@businessfrance.fr
Bénédicte GOLDSTEIN
Political/Press
French Embassy in Oman
Mail : benedicte.goldstein@diplomatie.gouv.fr
