Muscat – H E Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, will present the keynote speech at the opening of the Green Hydrogen Summit Oman 2022 (GHSO), which will be held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat, during December 5 – 7, 2022.

The keenly anticipated opening address will shed light on, among other issues, Oman’s newly unveiled strategy for the development of a world-scale green hydrogen industry to support the decarbonisation of the Omani economy, as well as cater to the energy transition goals of other nations.

An overview of this ambitious vision was shared recently by officials of the ministry, joined by representatives of Oman 2040 Vision, Energy Development Oman and the newly established hydrogen-centric energy firm Hydrom. At the heart of this strategy is a commitment to reducing Oman’s climate-warming CO2 emissions to Net Zero by 2050 – a goal that envisions investments of an estimated US$140bn in a full-fledged domestic green hydrogen industry over the next several decades.

Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the three-day GHSO Summit and Exhibition has been organised by Birba Energy Services with the support of a number of prominent local and international energy-related organisations, according to a press release.

Underscoring its appeal and reach, the forum will be attended by a distinguished gathering of energy ministries representing hydrogen producers and importers, as well as policymakers, energy pundits and CEOs of international energy companies, technology providers and energy think-tanks. High-level representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA) will be in attendance as well.

Over the course of the three-day forum, a total of 12 strategic sessions will be held, focusing on nine strategic themes: Oman green hydrogen economy and strategy; global hydrogen review; Oman as a global player in the hydrogen space; Oman as a green hydrogen hub; Oman green hydrogen infrastructure; green hydrogen value chain (in-country value); partnership and investment; green hydrogen projects’ finance and bankability; and green hydrogen projects in Oman.

Additionally, a technical conference will take place in parallel with the main conference. International experts representing key segments of the hydrogen value chain will conduct a series of masterclasses on December 5^th covering four categories: green hydrogen technology, green hydrogen application, green hydrogen regulations and policy, and green hydrogen safety.

Prefacing the summit is an exclusive VIP session scheduled to take place at Kempinski Hotel Muscat on December 5^th. A number of ministers representing leading energy producing and importing nations will be in attendance, joined by policymakers, experts and CEOs from leading energy companies from Oman and around the world. H E Al Aufi will also address this ‘by-invitation only’ event.

As a one-stop expo on green hydrogen, GHSO 2022 will also include a full-fledged exhibition featuring leading international and local energy players, investors and developers, technology providers, and other companies that form part of the green hydrogen ecosystem. The three-day exhibition begins on December 5, 2022 and is open to visitors.

Reflecting the widespread appeal of the summit, more than 600 local and international delegates have so far registered to attend the proceedings. Further, to enable young Omani research scholars and budding energy professionals to benefit from the event, Birba Energy has offered 100 seats free of charge to interested participants.

All of Oman’s major energy-related companies and organisations have extended their backing for the event as patrons, sponsors and supporters.