Latest news with #Ibri
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's clean energy transformation is no longer a distant goal
From the desert interiors of Ibri to the coastal winds of Dhofar, Oman's energy future is shifting dramatically. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals' Annual Report 2024 outlines a bold transition: the establishment of seven dedicated Renewable Energy Zones across Dhofar, Duqm, Al-Ghazir, Manah, Ibri, Sur, and Musandam. These zones are not just strategic points on a map—they represent a national commitment to sustainability, economic diversification, and energy security. With long-term targets to generate 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Oman is investing heavily in solar and wind power. Utility-scale solar farms in Manah and Ibri are already under development, and the expansion of wind energy projects in Dhofar and Duqm is underway. These zones were selected for their geographic strengths—solar intensity, wind potential, and access to existing infrastructure—making them ideal for large-scale clean energy deployment. Yet Oman's ambitions go further. The report highlights the country's emerging role as a green hydrogen leader. Backed by abundant land and renewables, Oman aims to produce one million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030, ramping up to 3.75 million tonnes by 2040 and 8.5 million tonnes by 2050. These targets would position Oman as the largest hydrogen exporter in the Middle East and among the top globally. To enable this, Oman has allocated approximately 50,000 square kilometers of land for hydrogen development—an area equivalent to the size of Slovakia. Through the government-backed entity Hydrom, a total of eight project agreements have been signed to date. These integrated projects combine solar, wind, desalinated water, and hydrogen production infrastructure, all focused on export readiness. Oman's strategy centers around green ammonia as the primary carrier for hydrogen exports. With existing port infrastructure and planned upgrades in Salalah, Duqm, and Sur, the country is well-positioned to deliver competitively priced ammonia to global markets. By 2030, Oman's hydrogen production costs are projected to fall to around $1.60 per kilogram, supported by some of the world's lowest renewable energy prices—between $25 and $35 per megawatt-hour. The economic outlook is equally compelling. The clean hydrogen economy could bring in $33 billion in investments by 2030, while generating an estimated $2 billion in annual revenues from exports. Domestically, switching from fossil-based hydrogen to renewable hydrogen in refineries and industry could cut CO₂ emissions by more than 7 million tonnes annually—roughly 7% of Oman's 2021 baseline—and save over 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year. These developments are part of a broader vision aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The government is also advancing regulatory frameworks, land auctions, and international certification to ensure credibility and competitiveness in emerging green markets. In parallel, Oman is exploring domestic hydrogen use in steelmaking and high-temperature industrial processes, setting the stage for low-carbon manufacturing clusters in the future. While the global hydrogen market remains in its infancy, Oman's proactive approach—coupled with its geographic, economic, and political advantages—makes it a serious contender in the race toward a net-zero future. The Annual Report 2024 paints a picture not just of aspirations, but of measurable progress, real partnerships, and structural reform. Oman's clean energy transformation is no longer a distant goal. It is an evolving national strategy, already underway—anchored in data, powered by sunlight and wind, and steadily redefining the country's place in the global energy landscape. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Agreements signed to implement service projects in Al Dhahirah Governorate
Ibri: Agreements worth more than OMR1 million were signed in Al Dhahirah Governorate on Thursday to implement service and development projects. The agreement were inked by Najeeb Ali Al Rowas, Governor of Al Dhahirah, and representatives of private sector companies. The step was aimed to upgrade infrastructure and enhance the quality of services in the governorate's wilayats. The agreements included the implementation of three projects. The first is a road maintenance project in the Wilayat of Ibri. The second is an internal road maintenance project in the Wilayats of Dhank and Yanqul. Both projects deal with the re-planning and re-designing of roads and speed breakers, the installation of road signs and the replacement of asphalt layers. The third is a lighting project for the Kabara-Wadi-Al Ain Road in the Wilayat of Ibri. It deals with the supply and installation of 178 lighting poles to enhance the safety and security of road users during the night.
Muscat Daily
7 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Omani student company turns invasive tree into green gold
Muscat – A student-led company at University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Ibri has developed an eco-friendly alternative to plastic as well as personal care products using the mesquite tree ( Ghaf al Bahri ), which is considered an invasive species in Oman. The students have extracted a raw material from the mesquite tree suitable for use in both the plastic and health products industries. The project, which combines environmental sustainability with biotechnology, is being hailed as a model for circular economy initiatives in the region. Badr bin Saeed al Azizi, CEO of GreeNova, said the company has spent more than two years in research and development to reach this milestone. 'We've created a product that is stronger, cheaper and heat-resistant using a plant once regarded as a burden,' he said. The innovation has been validated by a report from Plant Therapy Research Laboratory in China. GreeNova's focus is not limited to finding an alternative to plastic. The company also found that the mesquite tree contains compounds with medicinal properties. Extracts from the leaves are now being used to develop personal care products, including hair wash, body wash and natural soap. These items are marketed as 100% natural and locally sourced, with ambitions to compete in international markets. According to Azizi, the company has captured 40% of market share in Oman for alternative raw materials in plastic production. He attributes this to a partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in Dhahirah, which gave the company access to mesquite tree waste – earlier a costly environmental problem for the government. 'Our project has turned a costly waste disposal issue into a profitable and sustainable business model,' he said. Elias bin Abdullah al Hatmi, another member of GreeNova, informed that the company has participated in several local and international entrepreneurial competitions and received awards for innovation. GreeNova is currently incubated under the Dhahirah Innovates initiative supported by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Hatmi said the company's success lies in its ability to convert environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
Times of Oman
16-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Student startup extracts health products, plastic alternatives from mesquite trees
Ibri: The student-led company "Greenova" from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Ibri has achieved a breakthrough by extracting raw materials as alternatives to plastic and advanced health products from the mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora). This pioneering step merges green economy principles with biotechnology, embodying Omani innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship. The company has emerged as a leader in transforming what was long considered a "harmful plant" into a hub of environmental and industrial innovation. Badr Said Al Azizi, CEO of Greenova, stated: "With over two years of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, the company has established a national and global reputation by developing a mesquite-based alternative to plastic. This material is stronger, cheaper, shatterproof, and more heat-resistant." He noted that the material's high efficiency has been validated by a credible report from the Plant Therapy Research Laboratory in China, supervised by leading scientists, reinforcing the innovation's credibility and the product's robustness. He added: "Greenova didn't stop at eco-friendly manufacturing; it also discovered medicinal and health properties in the tree. By extracting compounds from mesquite leaves, the company has revolutionised the healthcare sector by producing 100% natural hair wash, body wash, and soap derived from a local tree. This Omani-made product meets global standards, competes in international markets, and offers a safe, healthy alternative to existing options." The CEO emphasised that Greenova has achieved remarkable milestones in a short time. Sales of its plastic alternative raw material have captured 40% of the Omani market in a single transaction, with a net daily profit of 35%, reflecting the project's economic viability and environmental sustainability. This success followed extensive efforts, including a strategic agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in A'Dhahira Governorate to utilize mesquite tree waste—which previously required millions of riyals in annual public tenders for disposal. Thus, an environmental burden has been turned into an economic opportunity, positioning Greenova as a model for circular economy practices. On his turn, Elias Abdullah Al Hatmi from Greenova highlighted the company's participation in numerous entrepreneurial events, such as Startup Weekend and national and international hackathons, where it secured first place in 2025. The company also competed in Qatar's 2024 "Start of Science" championship and reached the finals of Oman's Injaz exhibition in 2025. Notably, Greenova won incubation support from Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in A'Dhahira under the "Dhakira Innovates" initiative, cementing its strong presence in sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. Al Hatmi explained that Greenova stands out by utilizing a traditionally harmful plant (mesquite) as a beneficial industrial and health resource. The company produces a more efficient, cost-effective plastic alternative, extracts natural materials for high-quality health products, generates strong profits, and creates new economic opportunities. By collaborating with government and private entities, Greenova supports sustainability goals and maintains high competitiveness in local and global markets, serving as a successful model for green economy practices and turning challenges into opportunities.
Observer
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman table tennis players gear up for next tournaments
MUSCAT, JULY 2 The Oman national table tennis team players began an intensive domestic training camp at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat as part of their comprehensive preparations for several significant upcoming international and regional tournaments. The week-long internal camp, which began on Sunday, featured participation from both senior and youth players representing various clubs across the Sultanate of Oman, and is being held under the close supervision of the national technical staff. Led by national team head coach Omid Shamas Sharbabaki, alongside newly appointed assistant head coach Adnan Fawakherji, the camp will aim to deliver maximum technical and tactical outputs. The coaching duo are focused on building team cohesion, enhancing skill sets, and developing game strategies that align with the high standards of international competition. This camp will play a critical role in shaping the future of Omani table tennis not only by refining the skills of the current senior players but also by evaluating promising young talents who may soon earn the national jersey. The coaching staff will end the domestic training camp by finalising the lineup for the upcoming WTT Star Contender Muscat which is one of the prominent events on the global table tennis calendar. The prestigious tournament, scheduled to take place in mid-November in Muscat, will feature a lineup of world-class players and will offer Oman's athletes a golden opportunity to compete against international elites on home soil. Simultaneously, the youth segment of the national team is undergoing a performance evaluation during the camp, as part of the selection process for the 3rd Asian Youth Games, which will be held in Bahrain in October 2025. The technical staff is closely assessing the youth players' progress and adaptability to international standards, with the aim of forming a competitive squad that can represent Oman honorably in the continental multi-sport event. Adding to the busy calendar, Oman is also gearing up to host the Arabian and West Asian Table Tennis Championship for Clubs this coming September. The Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex will once again serve as the host venue for this prestigious regional championship. Oman will be represented by its top three clubs including Salalah, Ibri, and Seeb who were shown consistent performance domestically in the last season and earned the right to compete at this level. The tournament is expected to draw strong participation from top club teams across the Arab and West Asian region, promising high-level competition and great exposure for the local players. Following the conclusion of the current training phase, the national team's preparation will continue with another internal camp phase starting from July 17 to 24 in Muscat. This next stage of preparation will focus on refining techniques and strategies developed during the current camp. The coaching staff will aim to capitalise on the momentum, strengthen areas of improvement identified in previous evaluations, and ensure that both senior and youth squads are progressing in line with international expectations. This multi-phase training programme aim to provide a competitive generation of athletes capable of representing the country at major regional and global events.
