Oman launches 3rd auction round for green hydrogen blocks
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has launched its third green hydrogen auction round, marking a new chapter in its strategy to become a leading global hub for green hydrogen production and export. Designed and orchestrated by Hydrom, the third auction offers innovative and flexible opportunities for qualified developers to invest in Oman’s fast-growing hydrogen ecosystem and participate in building a competitive and scalable global green hydrogen economy.
Building on the success of previous auction rounds, the third round incorporates lessons learned to optimize bidder participation and enhance competitiveness. A land block of up to 300 square kilometers has been offered in Duqm, inviting proposals for projects covering a minimum of 100 square kilometers. Bidders will have flexibility in defining their project footprint within the block, enabling tailored configurations that align with individual development strategies and market requirements. Bidders will benefit from an extended preparation period of nine months from the launch of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) to the bid submission deadline, providing ample time for comprehensive project planning. In addition to producing green hydrogen and its derivatives, developers may also explore the sale of surplus renewable electricity to the national grid, subject to regulatory approvals, maximizing project value and integration into Oman’s wider energy transition framework.
Eng Abdulaziz Said al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, said: “Oman’s green hydrogen sector has moved from ambition to structured delivery. Through an integrated approach that combines land allocation, common-use infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and export corridors, we are building an investment-ready ecosystem that enables scalable, bankable projects. The strong market response to our earlier auctions reflects a growing demand for credible, delivery-focused solutions. With Round 3, we are expanding this platform to create greater opportunities for a broader pool of serious developers, maintaining our commitment to meet global energy transition priorities.”
Developers participating in the third round will benefit from Oman’s strong competitive advantages, including access to common-use infrastructure, a stable regulatory framework, and strategic proximity to key demand centers in Europe and Asia. Oman’s comprehensive energy transition efforts also include the development of a dedicated 2,000-kilometer hydrogen pipeline as well as the establishment of the world’s first liquid hydrogen export corridor linking Oman to the Netherlands and Germany and onwards to Europe.
Oman’s green hydrogen sector is a cornerstone of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and securing at least 30 per cent of its power mix from renewables by 2030. To date, Oman’s has awarded eight large-scale green hydrogen projects in Duqm and Dhofar through two previous rounds, securing over $49 billion in investment commitments targeting a combined production capacity of over 1 million tons per annum of green hydrogen by 2030. These projects, powered by more than 30 GW of renewable energy, position Oman among the most advanced and investment-ready hydrogen ecosystems globally.
The auction process commenced recently with the release of the RFQ. Qualified bidders will be invited to submit proposals in early 2026, with awards expected thereafter.
Bidders wishing to participate are encouraged to register promptly via Hydrom’s official auction platform. Full registration guidelines are available at Hydrom’s official website at www.hydrom.om.
Caption:
Eng Abdulaziz Said al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom
SOURCE: Hydrom Oman
Date: 30 April 2025
