Pact
Inked to Drive Energy Efficiency in Oman’s Industrial Hubs

Muscat,
29 Apr (ONA) — The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones
(OPAZ) signed today a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with OQ Alternative
Energy (OQAE) to implement an Energy Excellence Programme.

This
initiative is part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in economic zones,
free zones and industrial cities, and to support the implementation of the
national strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The memorandum
also aims to explore potential cooperation opportunities in identifying and
implementing energy efficiency initiatives and related certifications.

The
Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on behalf of OPAZ by Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al
Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of OPAZ, and on behalf of OQAE by Najla Al Jamali, CEO
of OQAE.

The
areas of cooperation covered by the memorandum include providing support and
consultancy services for energy efficiency assessments and decarbonisation of
certain technical and non-technical assets owned by the Public Authority for
Special Economic Zones and Free Zones; identifying and implementing energy
efficiency improvement projects through performance contracting if both parties
wish; supporting and advising the Authority on obtaining ISO 50001
certification in energy management; and providing consultancy services for
developing an energy strategy for OPAZ.

Eng.
Mazin Mansour Al Balushi, Head of the Technical Studies Section at OPAZ, stated
that the Authority accords great importance to environmental preservation and
carbon emission reduction across the economic zones, free zones, and industrial
cities under its supervision. The implementation of the Energy Excellence
Programme comes in line with these objectives.

He
emphasised that the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation reflects the
Authority’s commitment to achieving Oman Vision 2040 objectives under the
priority of environment and natural resources. He pointed out that in recent
years, the Authority has signed numerous agreements and memoranda of
cooperation to establish projects in green hydrogen, green ammonia, green
steel, and direct reduced iron, reflecting the Authority’s dedication to
promoting environmental sustainability in line with national sustainability
goals.

He
further explained that the Energy Excellence Programme will contribute to
improving energy usage in the economic zones, free zones and industrial cities,
and will have a positive impact on enhancing innovation and developing human
capital in the areas under the Authority’s supervision.

—Ends/AG