Latest news with #AlShidhani
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's digital transformation performance up 80%
Muscat - The National Program for Digital Transformation (Tahawul) (2021-2025) has recorded an 80 percent increase in overall performance since its launch until the end of May 2025. The program achieved a 19 percent qualitative leap over its performance recorded at the end of the first half of last year, confirming the effectiveness of the implemented strategies and the levels of progress achieved in organizational and digital structures as an effective tool for leading the digital transformation in the Sultanate of Oman towards a digital government that applies the highest standards of efficiency, speed of implementation, and quality of services. The average readiness of government institutions for digital transformation rose to 81 percent, a seven percent increase over the rate recorded at the end of June 2024. Meanwhile, the readiness of the digital infrastructure in government institutions rose to 86 percent, and procedures for 96 percent of targeted and priority government services were simplified, including 381 services whose procedures were simplified in Manjam's laboratories for simplifying government procedures. 74 percent of targeted and priority government services were digitized. 48 government agencies completed 11,439,542 digital transactions between January and May 2025. 33 advisory and enabling sessions were held in the areas of digital transformation, and 4,100 services were documented and indexed in the digital guide for government services. Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Government Digital Transformation Program, said that the results and performance indicators of the "Transformation" program reflect the extent of concerted national efforts and the commitment of government institutions to proceed with confident steps towards a promising digital government. He praised the level of institutional integration with the program's vision and objectives, which embodies the ability to keep pace with digital transformations with confident and deliberate steps. Al Shidhani affirmed that the "Transformation" program is moving forward to continue enhancing the efficiency of digital services, improving infrastructure, completing the digitization of more services, and empowering national competencies, in line with an ambitious national direction to build a more innovative future that meets the aspirations of the Sultanate of Oman's renewed renaissance. Among the most notable achievements of the National Government Digital Transformation Program (Tahweel) over the past period is the launch of the unified government services portal, which includes 23 government services for a number of government agencies. The number of portal users reached 35,746, while the number of service requests completed through the portal reached 3,905. The Visual Library section was activated in sign language to support the use of the portal by people with disabilities. The electronic payment gateway (OmanNet) has also been fully operational, contributing to an increase in the volume of electronic payment transactions and reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions. The total number of transactions executed through the platform reached 14.5 million digital transactions during the first quarter of this year. The number of active users of the electronic document and records management system "Wusool" has reached more than 17,000, and the total number of documents created through the system has exceeded 1.5 million, providing services to 20 government entities using the system. The number of digital transactions signed via electronic authentication during the first half of 2025 reached approximately 1,572,638 digital transactions. The number of data records exchanged via the National Electronic Integration Platform during the same period reached 163 million records. More than 90 digital community consultations were conducted to enhance the government's efforts to activate the digital participation approach across various government institutions and governorates in the Sultanate of Oman. It may be noted that the National Government Digital Transformation Program falls under the umbrella of the National Digital Economy Program. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in coordination with all government agencies, has drawn up a roadmap and an implementation plan for the program spanning the period (2021-2025) to transition to a digital government based on governance principles and the use of emerging technologies to create a future-oriented government agency that provides an integrated digital experience.
Observer
18-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman accelerates green hydrogen technology localisation
MUSCAT, JULY 18 Hydrom, the architect of Oman's green hydrogen sector, has reported significant progress in the localisation of technology and manufacturing capacity linked to the vast volumes of solar panels, wind turbines, electrolysers and other essential hardware needed to meet the country's ambitious green hydrogen targets. A number of green hydrogen projects currently in early development across Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates are expected to commence operations by around 2030, contributing to Oman's goal of producing 1 million tonnes of low-carbon molecules annually by that time. Achieving this target will require approximately 40 million solar panels and up to 3,000 wind turbines — equipment that will nearly triple the country's current grid capacity, according to Eng Abdulaziz Al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom. 'To reach our 2030 targets, we're proactively enabling this expansion by laying the necessary groundwork now. With project contracts signed for up to 47 years, the momentum is clear and investors are taking note,' Al Shidhani said in an interview with The Energy Year, a UK-based energy news platform. The official also emphasised that technology localisation is central to Hydrom's strategy. 'We've signed MoUs with electrolyser manufacturers, including Siemens Energy and ThyssenKrupp Nucera. These partnerships support our industrial ambitions, including polysilicon production and the local manufacturing of solar panels and wind turbines. Suhar is set to host solar panel production, while Al Duqm will see wind turbine assembly'. Over the past year, Suhar has attracted over a billion dollars in new Chinese-led investments in large-scale solar panel and module manufacturing facilities, aimed primarily at serving domestic and regional markets. Additionally, United Solar Polysilicon (FZC) SPC, an international green energy company, is making rapid progress on a $1.6 billion polysilicon plant with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per annum, located in Suhar Industrial City. Alongside its efforts to build a robust green hydrogen production sector, Hydrom is actively supporting the development of supply chains and a broader ecosystem around the green molecule. As part of this drive, Hydrom hosted a Green Hydrogen Ecosystem Readiness Lab last September, bringing together 58 government entities. 'We identified 26 strategic initiatives grouped into five core areas: logistics and infrastructure readiness, regulatory streamlining, technology localisation, workforce capacity building and domestic market development. These initiatives are being actively tracked and managed through our green hydrogen acceleration dashboard, gH2ad, which ensures transparency, promotes accountability and keeps all stakeholders aligned towards shared goals', Al Shidhani explained. (gH2ad refers to green hydrogen, ammonia and derivatives — including green ammonia, green methanol, synthetic fuels (e-fuels) and LOHCs or liquid organic hydrogen carriers). Hydrom is also working closely with free zone authorities to allocate suitable plots for investments in downstream green hydrogen conversion and other value-added industries. 'We coordinate closely with free zone authorities to align policy and infrastructure. For instance, Vulcan Green Steel and others are planning green steel projects that will rely on hydrogen supply chains originating from outside the free zones', he said. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to manage the massive volumes of hardware that the green hydrogen sector will require — most of which will be imported in the early years — and ensure its seamless transport to designated sites. The Port of Duqm, which previously handled the arrival of wind turbines for Dhofar's first wind farm in 2019, will continue to serve as a gateway for such equipment. 'We've assigned ASYAD to lead logistics, focusing on three key initiatives: conducting a readiness assessment, implementing a control-tower approach to manage scheduling from port to site and coordinating with ongoing oil and gas activities. We are piloting our plan with the recently signed 100-MW PDO Riyah-1 and Riyah-2 wind farm projects in Al Duqm, allowing us to learn and adapt as needed', Al Shidhani added.
Observer
15-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
New mechanisms to bolster appeal of Oman's Round 3 hydrogen auction
MUSCAT, JULY 15 Hydrom, the state-owned entity overseeing Oman's green hydrogen strategy, has introduced a series of mechanisms and incentives aimed at generating stronger investor interest in the third round of auctions for green hydrogen development blocks. Launched in April 2025, Round 3 centres on a 300 sq km land block in Duqm. Prospective developers may bid for a minimum of 100 sq km, with the flexibility to define their project footprint within the block. This approach allows bidders to tailor configurations in line with their strategies and market outlook. According to Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, the latest round has been designed with enhanced flexibility to better align with investor expectations. 'We offered a 300-square-kilometre block where bidders can propose developing a third, two-thirds, or the entire area, depending on their capabilities. We can award the land to one, two, or three developers. Strategically, the message is that Oman is committed yet agile,' he told The Energy Year, a UK-based energy news portal. Crucially, Hydrom has embedded several new features into the auction process to elicit a stronger investor response. 'We're introducing mechanisms such as a double-sided auction with a contract-for-difference model, and a downstream auction aimed at domestic industry,' Al Shidhani explained. 'These initiatives are designed to stimulate local hydrogen demand by bridging the price gap between suppliers and buyers. We're also allowing phased project development. Instead of delivering the full 50,000 tonnes per year within seven years, developers can start small and scale up.' Additional incentives—yet to be disclosed—will reward developers that meet specific milestones, he noted. 'Importantly, only 4 per cent of Oman's 50,000-square-kilometre hydrogen potential has been allocated so far. We're serious about scaling but also balanced about risk,' he added. While optimism surrounds the auction, Al Shidhani acknowledged ongoing challenges facing the global hydrogen industry, such as political transitions and policy delays in key markets including Germany and Japan. One critical challenge being addressed by Hydrom is the imbalance between global hydrogen supply and demand. 'We're tackling this through government-to-government agreements with Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Singapore,' he said. 'These aren't just MoUs—we conduct workshops, run joint studies, and have launched the world's first liquid hydrogen corridor with partners in Germany and the Netherlands.' Domestically, Hydrom is also focusing on building a viable local market for hydrogen. 'We're exploring downstream applications and support tools like the double-sided auction model to make green hydrogen affordable for local industries without undermining competitiveness,' he said. 'We're not waiting for perfect conditions—we're pushing ahead with real engagements and infrastructure planning.' Also aiding investor convenience is a streamlined permit system that consolidates approvals across multiple government agencies. 'We had a major breakthrough with the single automatic permit system,' Al Shidhani said. 'Previously, developers needed clearances from 36 entities. That's now down to just nine. Through the newly launched Oman platform, once a project is approved, developers receive access to all requirements, and full land access is granted the next day. This automated system has dramatically reduced administrative bottlenecks.' While underscoring Hydrom's central role in orchestrating Oman's green hydrogen ambitions, Al Shidhani emphasized that the success of the sector depends on collective action. 'Hydrom remains the coordinator, but success hinges on ecosystem partners delivering on their responsibilities,' he said. 'We expect our first hydrogen plant to be operational between 2029 and 2031.'
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman unveils initiatives to cut water loss to 10% by 2036
MUSCAT: Nama Water Services (NWS), the state-owned integrated water and wastewater utility of the Sultanate of Oman, has outlined an array of initiatives to dramatically slash potable water losses, currently accounting for around 40 per cent of the country's total water production. The list includes capital outlays towards replacing old leak-prone water networks, deployment of technologies to detect water leaks, and the rollout of smart metering systems at the consumers' end. The announcement was made during an Executive Panel Discussion held on Monday, April 7, 2025 as part of Oman Water Week 2025 underway at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat. Water losses – also known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and encompassing both technical and commercial water losses – cost tens of millions of Omani rials in lost revenues annually for Nama Water Services. A host of factors are at fault, notably leaks in buried pipeline networks, faulty meters, and billing errors, among other reasons. Of total water production of 444.44 million m3 in 2022, non-revenue water (NRW) amounted to 180.7 million m3, representing a significant 40.7 per cent share. Following the implementation of rigorous measures to curb losses, the NRW share dipped to 39.6 per cent in 2023. In volume terms, this figure corresponds to 177.79 million m3, according to Nama Water. Speaking at the forum, Eng Saud al Shidhani, Director General – Water & Wastewater Regulation, Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), said the regulator was working with various stakeholders to help cut back water losses to 10 per cent by 2036. Aiding this strategic effort is the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, he said. While acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, Al Shidhani lauded modest successes delivered by Nama Water (as well as Nama Dhofar Services covering Dhofar Governorate) in paring water losses in recent years. He attributed these successes to a regimen of incentives and targets set by the regulator for the operators concerned. According to Eng Ibrahim al Harthi, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer – Nama Water Services, the water sector has delivered loss reduction gains averaging 9 per cent annually over the last four years. 'We work closely with our regulator, who monitors our annual targets for water loss reduction. We submit periodic reports to keep them updated on our progress,' the official said. 'We've already secured funding for a comprehensive infrastructure replacement programme focused on reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW). Additionally, we are deploying a range of advanced technologies—including satellite imaging, drones, and AI software—to detect leaks more effectively. We have also rolled out an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) project for commercial users.' The utility's aggressive water loss reduction goals are driven by the high cost and value of desalinated water, the official noted. 'That forms the business case for sustained investment. However, it's important to note that this challenge cannot be solved in a single year,' he added. Oman Water Week 2025, organised by Raya Services, is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
08-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman unveils initiatives to cut water loss to 10 per cent by 2036
MUSCAT, APRIL 8 Nama Water Services (NWS), the state-owned integrated water and wastewater utility of the Sultanate of Oman, has outlined an array of initiatives to dramatically slash potable water losses, currently accounting for around 40 per cent of the country's total water production. The list includes capital outlays towards replacing old leak-prone water networks, deployment of technologies to detect water leaks, and the rollout of smart metering systems at the consumers' end. The announcement was made during an Executive Panel Discussion held on Monday, April 7, 2025 as part of Oman Water Week 2025 underway at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat. Water losses – also known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and encompassing both technical and commercial water losses – cost tens of millions of Omani rials in lost revenues annually for Nama Water Services. A host of factors are at fault, notably leaks in buried pipeline networks, faulty meters, and billing errors, among other reasons. Of total water production of 444.44 million m3 in 2022, non-revenue water (NRW) amounted to 180.7 million m3, representing a significant 40.7 per cent share. Following the implementation of rigorous measures to curb losses, the NRW share dipped to 39.6 per cent in 2023. In volume terms, this figure corresponds to 177.79 million m3, according to Nama Water. Speaking at the forum, Eng Saud al Shidhani, Director General – Water & Wastewater Regulation, Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), said the regulator was working with various stakeholders to help cut back water losses to 10 per cent by 2036. Aiding this strategic effort is the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, he said. While acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, Al Shidhani lauded modest successes delivered by Nama Water (as well as Nama Dhofar Services covering Dhofar Governorate) in paring water losses in recent years. He attributed these successes to a regimen of incentives and targets set by the regulator for the operators concerned. According to Eng Ibrahim al Harthi, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer – Nama Water Services, the water sector has delivered loss reduction gains averaging 9 per cent annually over the last four years. 'We work closely with our regulator, who monitors our annual targets for water loss reduction. We submit periodic reports to keep them updated on our progress,' the official said. 'We've already secured funding for a comprehensive infrastructure replacement programme focused on reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW). Additionally, we are deploying a range of advanced technologies—including satellite imaging, drones, and AI software—to detect leaks more effectively. We have also rolled out an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) project for commercial users.' The utility's aggressive water loss reduction goals are driven by the high cost and value of desalinated water, the official noted. 'That forms the business case for sustained investment. However, it's important to note that this challenge cannot be solved in a single year,' he added. Oman Water Week 2025, organised by Raya Services, is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
