“Oman represents far more than a project location for us — it is a strategic pillar in ACME’s global mission to drive large-scale decarbonization,” says Gursharan Jassal, Country Manager – Oman at ACME Group, India. In this exclusive Q&A with Energy Oman, Jassal highlights the compelling advantages that make the Sultanate — and Duqm in particular — a prime investment destination for ACME Group’s pioneering green hydrogen and green ammonia development, the first phase of which is now underway at the SEZ in Duqm.

Energy Oman: Can you tell us about ACME Group’s journey in developing its green hydrogen and ammonia projects globally, particularly the progress and key milestones of your flagship project in Oman through Green Hydrogen Chemicals SAOC?

Mr. Jassal: ACME Group, headquartered in Gurugram, India, is one of the leading renewable energy companies in India, with a diversified portfolio of ~8.50 GW comprising solar, wind and energy storage projects. Its renewable energy platform, ACME Solar Holdings Limited, is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

ACME Group made its successful foray into green molecules in September 2021 when it commissioned one of the world’s first integrated green hydrogen and green ammonia pilot plants in Bikaner, Rajasthan, marking a significant milestone in India’s clean energy transition. Building on this success, ACME is actively developing large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia projects in Oman and India.

Green Hydrogen Chemicals SAOC, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of ACME Group, India, is registered in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), Oman.

ACME has secured a 92 sqkm land block within the Duqm SEZ. The project strategically divided into three phases, will have a cumulative green hydrogen production capacity of approximately 162,000 tons per annum (162 ktpa).

In India, ACME has secured 370 ktpa of green ammonia supply contract, representing about 51% of the total volume awarded under the landmark SECI Green Ammonia Auctions for India’s fertilizer sector. This award further reinforces ACME’s leadership in the sector. Furthermore, ACME is developing another 400 ktpa green ammonia project in India with a Japanese partner. This project is an applicant to the CfD (Contract for Difference) programme under the Hydrogen Society Promotion Act in Japan, and if awarded, it would start supplying green ammonia to Japan by 2029-2030.

ACME’s journey in Oman began in 2020 with a simple enquiry email to SEZAD, which set the stage for a series of pioneering milestones:

• August 2021: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a 92 sqkm land block
• June 2022: Executed a land usufruct agreement for 12.17 sqkm for Phase 1 of the project
• February 2024: Signed an offtake agreement for 100% of Phase 1 capacity
• June 2024: Commenced construction activities
• July 2024: Achieved financial closure for Phase 1.

The Phase 1 of the project is designed to produce approximately 20,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, which will be further synthesized into around 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually. With orders placed for all major packages, the construction is progressing on schedule, and the project is expected to produce its first molecule of green ammonia by the first half (H1) of 2027.

Through its innovation, commitment and early-mover advantage, ACME Group—through Green Hydrogen Chemicals SAOC — continues to play a pioneering role in advancing the global green hydrogen and ammonia economy from the Sultanate of Oman.

EO: What are the main technologies that are being adopted for hydrogen production and ammonia synthesis?

Mr. Jassa: At ACME, our approach to green hydrogen and ammonia production focuses on deploying proven, scalable and efficient technologies that ensure both reliability and cost competitiveness.

For hydrogen production, we are adopting Alkaline Water Electrolyser (AWE) technology in Phase 1 of our Duqm project in Oman. AWE is one of the most mature and commercially established electrolysis technologies in the world. It offers several advantages, for a large-scale, base-load green hydrogen project, such as:

• Cost competitiveness and established value chain
• Reliability and long operational life under industrial conditions
• Modular design for easy implementation and maintenance

This ensures that we achieve a balance between operational stability, efficiency and overall project economics while maintaining flexibility for future technology upgrades as the market evolves.

For ammonia synthesis, we are deploying the KBR Ammonia Technology, which is one of the world’s leading and most efficient ammonia synthesis technologies. KBR’s process is based on the proven Haber–Bosch principle, optimized through advanced catalyst systems and process designs that deliver high energy efficiency, lower emissions and improved plant operability.

The rationale behind selecting KBR technology includes:

• High conversion efficiency and reliability, backed by decades of industrial experience
• Operational flexibility, allowing efficient integration with variable green hydrogen feed
• Proven track record across global ammonia projects, ensuring smooth project execution and scalability.

Together, the use of AWE for hydrogen and KBR’s ammonia synthesis process provides a robust, efficient and future-ready technological foundation for our Duqm Project. This combination enables us to produce around 20,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, which will be converted into approximately 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually — marking a major step toward delivering competitive, carbon-free fuels to global markets.

EO: How do you see the role of Oman in ACME’s global energy roadmap?

Mr. Jassal: Oman plays a strategic and central role in ACME’s global green energy roadmap. The Sultanate offers an exceptional combination of world-class renewable energy resources, a progressive policy environment and a strategic geographic location that is connected to Asia, Europe and Africa — making it an ideal hub for green hydrogen and ammonia production and export.

DUQM provides strategic advantage for development of PtX project for:

• High GHI (Global Horizontal Irradiance – Solar PV Potential)
• Low ambient temperature and low dust further enhances the PV generation
• Land availability for large capacity solar PV Project deployment
• Deep water port access for
  • Import of Plant and Machinery
  • Export of PtX Products

Oman represents much more than just a project location for us — it is a strategic pillar in ACME’s mission to enable large-scale decarbonization globally. The country’s strong commitment to sustainability, excellent infrastructure through SEZAD and its openness to international partnerships make it a perfect partner in advancing the green hydrogen economy.

Our success in Oman also sets a template for future international projects — combining local collaboration, renewable resource strength and world-class technology deployment. In many ways, Oman is helping ACME transition from being a leading renewable energy company in India to becoming a global green fuels company, contributing meaningfully to the global energy transition.

EO: How has the experience been working with the Duqm SEZ (SEZAD) and other Omani ministries?

Mr. Jassal: Working with the Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD) and other Omani ministries has been a very constructive and enriching experience. The authorities maintain a highly professional and collaborative approach, with clear procedures and a strong commitment to facilitating investment and development in the Sultanate. Their responsiveness and openness to engagement have greatly supported our project progress and strengthened our confidence in Oman’s governance framework and vision for sustainable growth.

EO: What have been the main challenges related to approvals and permits of the project?

Mr. Jassal: The experience has been remarkably smooth, especially when it comes to approvals and permits. The One-Stop Shop at Duqm has truly made a difference — their processes are clear, documentation requirements are well-defined and timelines are consistently maintained. We’ve actually never had an approval come in beyond the committed timeframe, which speaks volumes about the efficiency of the system.

SEZAD has also played a key coordinating role, serving as the main point of contact and seamlessly engaging with other ministries and authorities on our behalf. This proactive and well-structured approach has made the entire journey very streamlined and collaborative. It really reflects Oman’s commitment to creating a business environment that supports investors and ensures projects progress smoothly.

EO: What measures are being taken to ensure health, safety and welfare at the construction site?

Mr. Jassal: Health, safety and welfare remain at the core of our operations at the construction site. We have implemented a comprehensive HSE management system that aligns with both international best practices and SEZAD’s safety standards. Regular safety trainings, toolbox talks and risk assessments are conducted to ensure that every individual on site is aware of safe work practices and potential risks.

We also place strong emphasis on worker welfare. A fully equipped medical facility operates on site, with a qualified doctor and nurse available round-the-clock and a dedicated ambulance on standby 24×7 to handle any emergencies promptly. Our accommodation facilities are well maintained, and we provide a full-fledged canteen serving healthy and nutritious meals three times a day.

To promote physical fitness and recreation, we have also developed dedicated grounds for outdoor activities such as cricket and football, which are very popular among the workforce.

These initiatives not only enhance the team morale but also contribute to overall well-being. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that everyone on site feels safe, healthy and valued — building a culture where safety and welfare go hand in hand with productivity and teamwork.

EO: How does ACME see the long term potential for green hydrogen and derivatives export from Oman?

Mr. Jassal: We see tremendous long-term potential for green hydrogen and its derivatives from Oman. The country’s abundant renewable energy resources, particularly solar and wind, provide a very strong foundation for green hydrogen production. Coupled with availability of land, strategic port infrastructure and Oman’s proactive regulatory environment, the Sultanate is exceptionally well positioned to become a major player in the global green hydrogen market.

From Acme’s perspective, this is not just about meeting domestic energy needs — it’s about exporting to international markets that are increasingly seeking low-carbon alternatives and placing Oman on the ‘Green Energy Map of the World’. We believe that with the right partnerships, technology and investment, Oman will emerge as a reliable and competitive hub for green hydrogen and derivatives, creating significant economic and environmental value over the coming decades.

Caption:

1. Gursharan Jassal, Country Manager – Oman at ACME Group, India.