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The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat has successfully launched its rooftop solar project, which became fully operational in early 2025. This initiative has been carried out in partnership with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa, and with support from OMRAN Group. The system is now supplying clean solar energy to power the venue, marking a major step forward in the centre’s sustainability goals. The agreement for the solar project was signed in March 2024, with construction beginning immediately after. The project was completed in a short timeframe and features 8,300 advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels are installed over a total area of 16,600 square meters, covering the rooftops of OCEC’s Atrium and Exhibition Halls. To put the scale into perspective, this is roughly equal to 63 tennis courts or two full-sized football fields. The solar system has been designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the venue significantly. It is estimated to prevent approximately 3,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Over the entire lifespan of the project, this will amount to more than 72,000 tonnes of avoided emissions. In addition to meeting around 25% of OCEC’s total energy demand, the solar panels offer additional benefits such as reducing indoor temperatures by providing shade and protecting the rooftop from direct sunlight and rain. This in turn helps improve energy efficiency within the facility. Al Shanfari, CEO of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, said in a statement, “This project is a major milestone in our ambition to become a more sustainable venue. It’s not only a positive step for our local environment, but also a strategic move to meet the growing demand from international event organizers seeking green and future ready destinations. It also reflects the strength of partnerships: our collaboration with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa enabled us to deliver a highly efficient, high-impact solution tailored to our venue’s needs.” Hamady SY, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa, stated, “We are honored to provide clean energy to major exhibition centers such as OCEC, contributing to a more sustainable future in the Sultanate of Oman. This collaboration represents another step forward in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in the region.” The solar installation is part of a broader sustainability plan aligned with Oman’s national goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. It complements several other environmental initiatives already in place at OCEC. These include its LEED Gold certification, the creation of a biodiverse garden, ongoing food donation efforts, a strong waste recycling program, and partnerships with local suppliers and small businesses to implement further sustainable practices. With the system now operational, the OCEC has already started using solar energy to reduce emissions and power events at the venue. One of the upcoming events that will benefit from this clean energy source is Oman Sustainability Week, scheduled from 12 to 15 May 2025, which will be partially powered by the solar-generated electricity from the new rooftop installation. |
