(Oman Power and Water Expo 2026) to explore energy transition pathways and enhance supply security

Muscat, October 12 (KUNA) – The Oman Electricity and Power Conference 2026 kicked off today in Muscat to discuss energy transition pathways, enhance supply security, strengthen grid resilience, and develop electricity markets, with international participation.

At the opening ceremony, Mohsin Al-Hadrami, Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals, stated that the Sultanate of Oman adopts a strategic approach to developing the electricity sector, focusing on diversifying generation sources, expanding transmission and distribution networks, and enhancing Gulf electricity interconnections.

He added that electricity generation in the Sultanate reached approximately 50.97 terawatt-hours in 2025, representing a growth of 3.7 percent. Production rose by 5.7 percent during the first half of 2026, reflecting expansion in developmental, industrial, and investment projects and underscoring the importance of proactive planning to meet future demand.

Al-Hadrami confirmed the Sultanate’s target to increase the share of renewable energy from about 9 percent in 2025 to between 30 and 40 percent by 2030, reaching between 60 and 70 percent by 2040, thereby supporting the achievement of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

He noted that emissions reduced and avoided in the energy sector amounted to approximately 1.72 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Thirty-one projects are currently under implementation in the sector, with five completed by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

Regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) electricity interconnection project, he emphasized that the direct interconnection with Oman, with a transmission capacity of up to 1,600 megawatts, “represents a strategic investment in collective energy security.”

For his part, Alaa bin Musa, Chief Executive Officer of the national Omani company Namaa for Electricity Distribution, said in a similar address that the “Oman 2040” vision provides a comprehensive framework for diversifying energy sources, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and developing network infrastructure, leading to the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The fifth edition of the conference discusses six main themes: electricity markets, sustainable energy and storage, power systems and grid solutions, distribution systems, energy efficiency, and asset management and performance improvement. It is attended by officials, experts, and specialists from 47 countries over a three-day period.

The conference sessions began with an executive panel discussion titled “Post-Crisis: Rethinking Electricity Security in Light of the Middle East Crisis,” which reviewed lessons learned from recent geopolitical shocks, the evolution of the energy security concept, and ways to balance grid resilience, affordability, and emission reductions.

The first technical session covered recent developments in electricity markets, including regulatory transformation in the Omani electricity market, the Sultanate’s experience with international renewable energy certificates, financing the energy sector transition, and resilience as a commodity in power systems.

The second technical session explored power systems and grid solutions through topics such as completing the unified national grid by interconnecting northern and southern Oman, dynamic line rating to increase grid capacity, protection systems in digital substations, and feeder protection solutions associated with renewable energy sources.

On the sidelines of the conference, titled “Empowering the Energy Future: Energy Transition Pathways and Grid Resilience in an Increasingly Complex Environment,” a parallel exhibition is being held, featuring 75 local and international companies showcasing technologies and solutions for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and smart grids.

(End) M.J.B. / N.S.A.