Leading International Companies Sign Landmark Memorandum to Propel Sustainable Fuels Project in Oman
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: A consortium of leading international companies, including OQ Alternative Energy, a subsidiary of OQ Group, Dutco, Sumitomo Middle East, Automobili Lamborghini, and Airbus, have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a joint study on a pioneering project to supply sustainable automobile and aircraft fuels in Oman.
This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in advancing green hydrogen projects and establishing a robust green energy industry in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider region. The collaboration is poised to provide valuable insights into the implementation and operation of sustainable fuel production, aligning with OQ’s ongoing efforts to spearhead energy transformation through innovative solutions and sustainable practices.
The concept study will focus on exploring the production of e-fuels, including e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and e-gasoline, on a pilot scale in Oman. The study aims to identify the optimal pathways for production using qualified hydrogen and CO2 sources, with potential scalability to commercial levels.
In a parallel initiative, OQ Alternative Energy and TriEnergy Solutions (TES) have entered into a joint study agreement to assess the feasibility of establishing a sustainable natural gas production unit in Oman. This effort underscores the Sultanate’s leadership in developing a green hydrogen economy, with ambitions to produce over one million tonnes annually by 2030.
The memorandum was signed in the presence of key government officials, including Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals; Said bin Hamoud Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; Eng. Naif Ali Al Abri, Chairman of Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority; and Ashraf bin Hamed Al Mamari, Acting Group CEO of OQ. Signatories included Najla Al Jamali, CEO of OQ Alternative Energy; Ahmad Sharaf, CEO of Dutco’s Energy Division; Sami Kamel, CEO of Dutco’s Cleantech Division; Rutigliano Stefano, Strategy Director at Automobili Lamborghini; Hideki Suruga, Deputy CEO and CFO of Sumitomo Corporation Middle East; and Mikail Houari, President of Airbus Africa and Middle East.
Additionally, OQ Alternative Energy and TES have formalized their commitment through a joint study agreement to explore the development of an electric natural gas (e-NG) facility in Oman. This agreement was signed by Najla Al Jamali and Marco Alverà, CEO and Co-Founder of TES.
The Sultanate of Oman, endowed with abundant renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, is well-positioned to become a prominent green hydrogen production center. The collaborative framework led by Hydrom further enhances this position. Sustainable natural gas, produced by combining green hydrogen with carbon dioxide via the Sabatier reaction, offers a seamless transition to industrial use by utilizing existing infrastructure for liquefaction, gasification, transportation, and storage.
Najla Al Jamali emphasized OQ Alternative Energy’s commitment to energy transformation through partnerships, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices. “This cooperation highlights our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and leadership in shaping the future of energy, creating more opportunities in the green hydrogen sector within Oman,” she stated.
Marco Alverà expressed the significance of the cooperation, noting, “This agreement with OQ Alternative Energy reinforces TES’s commitment to advancing the global energy sector transformation and solidifying our leadership in the Middle East. We are excited to leverage OQ’s expertise in energy to drive forward these sustainable initiatives.”
This groundbreaking collaboration is set to contribute significantly to Oman’s energy landscape, paving the way for a sustainable and greener future.