BP, Oman sign renewable energy, hydrogen pact
SUMMARY
These projects will build on our gas business, CEO Bernard Looney said.
By Shardul SharmaPOSTED IN:
BP and the government of Oman on January 17 signed a strategic framework agreement (SFA) and a renewables data collection agreement to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in the Middle Eastern nations by 2030.
As part of the agreement, BP will capture and evaluate solar and wind data from 8,000 km2 of land. The evaluation will then support Oman in approving the future developments of renewable energy hubs at suitable locations within this area to take advantage of these resources, BP said in a statement. The renewable energy resources could also supply renewable power for the development of green hydrogen, targeting both domestic and global export markets.
“Today’s agreement represents what BP is able to offer as an integrated energy company,” CEO Bernard Looney said. “These projects will build on our gas business, and bring wind, solar and green hydrogen together in a distinctive and integrated way supporting Oman’s low carbon energy goals.”
Under the SFA, BP and Oman will also consider ways to collaborate in a number of areas, including regulation, the establishment of a renewable energy hub and the development and reskilling of the local workforce.
“In partnership with BP, we will progress the development of new, world-class solar and wind resources – generating renewable power for the grid and powering the manufacture of green hydrogen to supply domestic demand and to export to global customers. Over the past 50 years, we’ve advanced our hydrocarbon production,” Mohammed Al Rumhy, minister of energy & minerals of Oman, said.
BP last year joined Oman’s national hydrogen alliance, Hy-Fly, and established a net zero taskforce to help develop a roadmap in the country.
