The Energy and Minerals Forum in Dhofar Governorate serves as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, local communities, and strategic partners from both the public and private sectors. This forum comes at a time when the energy and minerals industry in Oman is undergoing rapid developments, underscoring the significance of community partnerships in driving progress and achieving economic sustainability.
The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has been committed to solidifying the principle of community partnership as a cornerstone of its operations, recognizing that ongoing interaction between the government, society, and the private sector is key to the successful implementation of projects and the attainment of national goals. The forum aims to strengthen this partnership by providing a platform for dialogue and exchanging ideas on the best ways to leverage the natural resources abundant in Dhofar Governorate and Oman as a whole.
The Ministry seeks to listen to the opinions and aspirations of strategic partners, whether they be investors, government entities, or local communities, in order to boost performance and develop future plans. Such forums also offer an opportunity to foster discussions on the challenges facing the industry and to develop innovative solutions aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
This forum marks the culmination of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' efforts to monitor the progress of development projects across Oman, particularly in Dhofar Governorate, which is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, as well as having significant potential for renewable energy and green hydrogen production. Through field visits organized as part of the forum, participants, led by H.H. Sayyid Marwan Bin Turki Al Said, the Governor of Dhofar, H.E. Eng. Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Maawali, Wali of Thumrait, and H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, were able to examine a number of leading projects in the energy and minerals industry, reflecting the ministry's commitment to keeping pace with the latest developments and technologies to ensure the optimal utilization of these resources. The visit included a tour of Block 58, operated by Tethys Oil for oil and gas exploration, as well as a gypsum extraction site belonging to Kunooz Gypsum in Thumrait, and a site dedicated to green hydrogen production where the project developer has begun measuring wind speed.
Dhofar Governorate boasts unique geographic diversity and vast natural resources, making it one of the most promising regions in Oman. It holds significant quantities of minerals such as limestone and gypsum, which contribute significantly to supporting the local economy through exports to global markets. Limestone production in the governorate exceeds 13 million tons annually, while gypsum exports have reached over 11 million tons, reinforcing Dhofar's role as a major center for the minerals industry in Oman.
Dhofar is not only rich in traditional resources like oil and gas but also possesses immense potential in the field of renewable energy. Vast areas have been allocated for the development of solar and wind energy projects. As part of the transition to a sustainable economy, three green hydrogen production projects are being implemented on a total area of 1,087 square kilometers, with a production capacity of 553,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, leveraging renewable energy production capacities of 14.1 gigawatts from solar and wind power, thereby strengthening Oman's position as a leading country in clean energy by 2030.
Dhofar Governorate also benefits from a developed infrastructure that supports major economic projects, including a modern transportation network and high-capacity ports. This infrastructure, coupled with abundant natural resources, enables Dhofar to be a significant hub for the mining and renewable energy industry, contributing to the strengthening of the local economy and creating new job opportunities.
The forum not only serves to showcase achievements and future projects but also focuses on strengthening cooperation with strategic partners who play a crucial role in developing the energy and minerals industry. Through the discussion sessions that brought together representatives from over 15 entities, a wide range of pivotal issues were addressed, such as localizing industries, promoting the use of domestic mineral products in national projects, and pricing and marketing gypsum.
These discussions empower national companies to become more competitive and reduce reliance on imports, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the local economy and increasing investment opportunities in the energy and minerals industry. Moreover, cooperation between the public and private sectors forms a cornerstone in achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing local content.
In conclusion, the achievements realized thus far in the energy and minerals industry would not have been possible without close cooperation among various entities. The Ministry continuously seeks to leverage such gatherings to develop its future plans and identify opportunities to achieve economic and social sustainability. This forum serves as another step towards realizing Oman Vision 2040, which aims to diversify the economy and optimally utilize natural resources and renewable energy to make them a sustainable source of progress and prosperity.
The continued organization of such forums and field visits reaffirms the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' commitment to monitoring the progress of work and developing vital economic industry, thereby enhancing Oman's position as a promising investment destination in the energy and minerals fields. As part of these efforts, the ministry intends to expand the scope of these forums to include all governorates of Oman in the coming periods, providing more opportunities to engage with local communities and strategic partners from the public and private sectors, and promoting balanced development across the country.