DEME Concessions and the Alternative Energy unit of Oman’s national oil company OQ jointly plan to build a 250-500MW electrolyser facility to produce green hydrogen or derivatives such as green ammonia from wind and solar power plants in the Arab Sultanate.
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The facility is slated to be built in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, Oman, in cooperation with The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).
The port town of Duqm with its strategic location at the Arabian Sea is home to a large refinery and booming industrial zone, which the country according to its Oman Vision 2040 strategy plans to convert into a renewable energy trading hub.
“The start of this cooperation between DEME and OQ is very important, not only for the project, but towards the biggest cause of placing Duqm as hub in the hydrogen value chain,” said Oman’s commerce and industry minister Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, who is also chairman of OPAZ.
“The step is also complementing the recently announced decision of the Public Authority of Special Economic Zones and Free Zones of dedicating 150 square km of land for green energy projects in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, in line with the Oman Vision 2040."
The hydrogen project called ‘Hyport Duqm Green Hydrogen’ will significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of regional industry in Oman, as well as provide green hydrogen to Europe, DEME said, adding that the envisaged electrolyser capacity could be scaled up following a first phase.
The Belgian company gave no time frame for that, though.
“We are thrilled to engage with OQ Alternative Energy into the next step of the ambitious Hyport Duqm Green Hydrogen Project,” said Alain Bernard, executive chairman of DEME Concessions and deputy chairman of the Port of Duqm Company.
“It is a major step in both our collaboration with the Omani Authorities as well as our partner the Port of Antwerp in the development of the Port of Duqm and related industrial and shipping activities.”
DEME in Europe and Asia is a major offshore wind installer.
