Muscat – Oman Airports will engage hydrogen-powered cars for corporate use at its airports by early 2023. To this end, Oman Airports and Shell Development Oman (Oman Shell) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday that will see Oman Shell provide up to 15 hydrogen cars to Oman Airports.

This is part of Oman Shell’s sixth Gift to the Nation – a Green Hydrogen for Mobility project.

The project will also include development of hydrogen production units that will be powered by photovoltaic solar plants and installed at fueling units related to the project. These stations will be selected strategically to maximise benefits to the project and allow members of the public to be aware of the technology.

As Omani regulatory bodies develop the required regulations to enable a strong hydrogen economy in the sultanate, Oman Shell will work closely with them to provide hydrogen expertise and input, a press release stated.

Commenting on the opportunity, Walid Hadi, VP and country chairman of Oman Shell, said, “Working with Oman Airports for the Green Hydrogen for Mobility project will help our efforts to support the Oman Vision 2040 energy objectives.”

“It is also in line with Shell’s Powering Progress Strategy and our target to become a net-zero-emission energy business by 2050, in step with society,” Hadi added.

The potential for the use of solar in electrolysers to produce hydrogen builds on the success Shell has had with other renewables-based projects in Oman, including Solar into Schools and Sohar Solar Qabas.

“The recent Royal directive by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to grow the green hydrogen sector in the sultanate inspires our efforts. We look forward to taking the first tangible step in kickstarting this industry and we hope that this project will be a pace setter in renewables-based hydrogen,” Hadi said.

According to Sheikh Aimen al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, the company is looking to capitalise on Oman Shell’s renewable energy initiatives and is “glad to be working together on the first phase of its Green Hydrogen for Mobility project”.

He informed that environmental sustainability is top priority for Oman Airports and one of the main pillars of its strategic objectives.

“Since 2017, we have incorporated a carbon management programme to measure and reduce our carbon footprint in a phased manner in Muscat, Salalah and Duqm Airports.

Muscat International Airport received a Green Airports Recognition in 2020 from Airports Council International for our contribution towards a sustainable airport’s environment in its category.

“We are committed and have a clear environmental policy to build a sustainable environment and become a green airport,” Hosni said.