Photovoltaic (PV) solar project has been established for the first time in the Middle East by the Dutch oil major Shell in a utility scale. In the Sultanate of Oman, the company has rolled out the 25-megawatt Qabas solar plant. The solar plant is furthermore located in Northern part of the Sultanate’s Sohar Free zone covering a 50-hectare site. 88,000 solar modules fill the site and a large ferrochrome production unit is supplied with this energy.
The solar project has followed the company’s goal of zero safety standards. It has been completed in accordance with the government’s deadline, in spite of the pandemic situation regardless of its downturn. Walid Hadi, Oman Shell’s VP and Country Chairman said to the media that, it is an incredible project and the first of its kind for Shell in the Middle East and in Oman, while being in line with their ambition to become a net-zero emission energy business by 2050 or sooner. He also thanked the Omani government, particularly the Sohar Port and Free zone, for their support and collaboration on a project with potential for economic value for the Sultanate.
Chairman of The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi said that, he was very thankful towards Shell and SOHAR Free Zone for launching the solar project in Sohar. The development is the first step for the Public Authority of Special Economic Zones and Free Zones plan for solar projects equating to 1 Gigawatt in Sohar and also vital for the Sultanate’s Vision 2040 along with national economic ambition.
