Oman’s Renewable Energy Revolution: Solar & Wind Farms Lighting Up 2025
Nestled between sun-drenched deserts and windswept coastlines, Oman is harnessing its natural resources to fuel a green revolution. As the world shifts toward sustainable energy, the Sultanate is emerging as a regional leader with ambitious solar and wind projects. From vast solar farms in the desert to towering wind turbines along the coast, 2025 marks a pivotal year in Oman’s journey toward a cleaner, greener future. Here’s your guide to the renewable energy projects transforming Oman—and what they mean for the nation and the planet.
Why Oman is Betting Big on Renewables
Oman’s energy strategy is driven by necessity and vision. The country relies heavily on oil and gas, which account for 70% of its GDP. But with global decarbonization pressures and finite fossil fuel reserves, Oman’s Vision 2040 blueprint prioritizes diversifying its economy and energy mix. Key goals include:
- 30% renewable energy in the national grid by 2030.
- Net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- Green hydrogen production to become a global exporter.
Blessed with 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine and consistent coastal winds, Oman’s geography makes it a renewable energy goldmine. Let’s explore the projects turning potential into power.
Solar Energy in Oman: 2026’s Sun-Powered Giants
1. Ibri II Solar Power Plant – A Desert Powerhouse
- Capacity: 500 MW (enough to power 50,000 homes).
- Location: Al Dhahirah Governorate.
- Developers: ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation.
- 2024 Milestone: Expanded storage solutions to supply power after sunset.
Oman’s largest solar farm, operational since 2021, uses bifacial panels to capture sunlight on both sides. In 2024, it integrated thermal storage systems, allowing it to deliver electricity 24/7.
Did You Know? Ibri II offsets 340,000 tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to removing 75,000 cars from roads.
2. Miraah Solar Project – Steam for Oil, Power for Progress
- Capacity: 1 GW (thermal).
- Location: Amal oil field, southern Oman.
- Developer: GlassPoint Solar.
- 2024 Focus: Scaling solar-generated steam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
Miraah uses curved mirrors to concentrate sunlight, producing steam that extracts heavy oil. While controversial for supporting fossil fuels, it reduces the oil industry’s gas consumption by 80%, freeing up gas for cleaner uses like power generation.
3. Manah Solar I and II – Powering the Future
- Capacity: 1,000 MW (combined).
- Location: Manah, Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate.
- Developers: Saudi’s ACWA Power, Oman’s DIDIC.
- 2024 Status: Phase I operational; Phase II under construction.
These projects, set for completion by 2025, will be Oman’s first solar plants with tracking technology, where panels follow the sun’s path for maximum efficiency.
Wind Energy in Oman: 2025’s Breezy Breakthroughs
1. Harweel Wind Farm – A Coastal Pioneer
- Capacity: 200 MW.
- Location: Dhofar Governorate.
- Developer: Masdar (UAE).
- 2024 Highlight: First large-scale wind farm in the GCC outside Saudi Arabia.
With 50 turbines towering over the Arabian Sea coast, Harweel leverages Dhofar’s 7.5 m/s average wind speeds. It powers 16,000 homes and supports Oman’s goal to generate 20% of Dhofar’s electricity from wind by 2025.
2. Duqm Wind Farm – Powering Industry
- Capacity: 300 MW.
- Location: Duqm Special Economic Zone.
- Developers: Shell, Enertech (Kuwait).
- 2024 Update: Construction begins Q3 2024.
This $400 million project will supply clean energy to Duqm’s industrial hub, including a massive refinery and port. Its hybrid model combines wind with solar to ensure stable output.
3. Jalaan Bani Bu Ali Wind Project – Community-Centric Energy
- Capacity: 100 MW.
- Location: Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate.
- Developer: Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).
- 2024 Focus: Engaging local communities in maintenance and operations.
Set in a rural region, this project aims to reduce diesel dependency in off-grid villages while creating jobs for residents.
Beyond Solar & Wind: Oman’s Green Hydrogen Ambitions
Oman’s renewables surge isn’t just about electricity—it’s about becoming a global green hydrogen hub. By using solar and wind to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, Oman plans to export hydrogen to Europe and Asia. Key 2024 projects include:
- Hyport Duqm: A $1.3 billion joint venture with Belgium’s DEME to produce 150,000 tons/year of green hydrogen.
- SalalaH2: Pilot plant in Dhofar testing hydrogen-powered public transport.
Challenges in Oman’s Renewable Journey
- Water Scarcity: Solar panel cleaning and hydrogen production require water in an arid climate.
- Grid Integration: Balancing variable solar/wind output with Oman’s existing gas-dominated grid.
- Land Use: Protecting ecosystems while allocating vast desert tracts for solar farms.
Solutions in Play:
- AI-driven robots for water-free panel cleaning (tested at Ibri II).
- Battery storage projects like the 200 MWh system in Adam.
- Partnerships with NGOs to monitor wildlife near renewable sites.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Oman?
- 2025 Target: 4 GW of installed renewables.
- Offshore Wind: Feasibility studies along Masirah Island’s coast.
- Solar Desalination: Using excess solar energy to produce freshwater.
Why Oman’s Green Shift Matters Globally
Oman’s transition isn’t just a national priority—it’s a blueprint for oil-dependent economies. By leveraging its natural assets and strategic partnerships, the Sultanate shows how fossil fuel giants can pivot toward sustainability without sacrificing growth.
Final Thoughts: Sunshine, Wind, and Vision
Oman’s 2024 renewable energy projects are more than engineering marvels; they’re symbols of resilience and foresight. From the solar panels shimmering in the Wahiba Sands to the wind turbines dancing on Dhofar’s cliffs, Oman is proving that even nations built on oil can embrace a cleaner tomorrow.
For investors, innovators, and eco-conscious travelers, Oman’s green revolution offers a front-row seat to history—and a glimpse of a sustainable future powered by sun and wind.