Global energy company Shell has partnered with major port in Oman to set up several solar power projects to replace gas power for local businesses.
by Philip Gordon
SOHAR deep-sea port and free-zone has signed a 600-hectare lease agreement with Shell Development Oman (SDO) for land to set up industrial and commercial solar panels. The port is managed in a joint-venture between the Port of Rotterdam and the Sultanate of Oman.
An initial 25-MW project will directly supply Al Tamman Indsil Ferrochrome LLC. The region is a major exporter of Chromite ore.
Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO of SOHAR Port and Freezone said: “Sustainability is one of our key values in driving development at SOHAR and this partnership with Shell will create solar-powered solutions that are the first-of-its-kind in the country. This also marks an incredible milestone and the first step in our proactive long-term program, that we have already begun implementing, to transform our 4,500-hectare development into a ‘green Freezone’. We hope that the changes we are implementing today will encourage current clients and future investors to adopt cleaner technologies and sustainable practices tomorrow.”
Chris Breeze, Shell Oman country chairman, added: “These solar PV projects will free up natural gas resources for better economic use, support the green agenda of the Sohar freezone and enable further economic development in Sohar, by unlocking large-scale solar opportunities.”
Recent Shell activity has included the acquisition of German energy storage firm sonnen
, the re-branding of its UK consumer-facing renewables-only energy supplier First Utility to Shell Energy.
This article was first published by Smart Energy International and was reprinted with permission.
