As part of H2-diplo’s activities in Oman, we hosted a Decarbonization Dialogue in Muscat, bringing together key players from Oman and Europe to discuss Oman’s role in the emerging green hydrogen economy.
On October 16th, 2024, H2-diplo, in collaboration with the German Embassy in Muscat, convened financial, political, and academic experts and stakeholders from Oman and Europe to discuss the emerging Omani green hydrogen market. The event, held in Muscat, provided a platform to foster international collaboration and explore the opportunities and challenges associated with the hydrogen economy.
The Dialogue opened with remarks from H.E. Ambassador Dirk Lölke and H.E. Salim Al Aufi, Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals. Ambassador Lölke highlighted the importance of fostering international partnerships, while Minister Al Aufi reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to establishing itself as a key player in the global green hydrogen market. However, he also acknowledged the shared challenges of a market ramp-up that require a collective global effort.
The opening remarks were followed by keynotes by Abdulaziz Al Shidhani (Managing Director of Hydrom) who presented Oman’s roadmap for green hydrogen, emphasizing Hydrom’s role as the orchestrator of the nation’s hydrogen strategy as well as Markus Exenberger (Executive Director of the H2Global Foundation) who introduced the H2Global funding mechanism, outlining Germany’s approach to facilitating hydrogen trade with partner nations.
Two panel discussions delved into critical aspects of green hydrogen development. The first panel focused on kickstarting green hydrogen trade, addressing green hydrogen market creation, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure development. Panelists included Dr. Firas Al-Abduwani (Ministry of Energy and Minerals), Ghalib Al Maamari (OQ), Eiman Chahhoud (Dutch Embassy), Pauline Raabe (H2Global Foundation) and Oliver Friske (VNG). Discussions highlighted the critical role of mechanisms like H2Global in facilitating market creation and underlined the need for coordinated efforts between Oman and Europe.
The second panel focused on creating an enabling environment for green hydrogen in Oman, focusing on financing and skills development. Participants included Rumaitha Al Busaidi (Hydrom), Thomas van Lith (Deutsche Bank), Dr. Manish Dhameja (Sohar International), Prof. Michael Braun (GUtech) and Quentin Dominique Blommaert (H2-diplo Office Riyadh). The panel addressed challenges like financing mechanisms and workforce development. A standout initiative discussed in the panel was GUtech’s Green Hydrogen Master’s Program, launched in partnership with German universities to equip Omani students with the necessary skills for this sector.
The H2-diplo Decarbonization Dialogue underscored Oman’s proactive stance in green hydrogen development, while fostering international collaboration to overcome shared challenges. The insights forged during the event will inform future activities, including skill-building programs and infrastructure projects, as Oman continues to emerge as a global leader in the hydrogen economy.
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