Oman LNG to fund landmark study on wave energy potential

MUSCAT: Oman LNG, the operator of the Sultanate’s triple-train liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at Sur, is funding a key study that aims to assess the feasibility of harnessing wave energy as a source of renewable power along the country’s coast.

Titled, ‘The Potential of Wave Energy in Sur: Resources Assessment and Techno-Economic Feasibility”, the study will be conducted by the Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) at Sultan Qaboos University, according to Nasser al Rizeiqi, Decarbonisation Adviser – Oman LNG.

In a social media post over the weekend, Al Rizeiqi underlined the promising potential of wave energy, given especially the expansive length of Oman’s coastline abutting multiple seas and marine environments.

“Oman, with its extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman, holds significant potential for harnessing wave energy. This renewable energy source offers a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, contributing to the global effort to mitigate GHG emissions,” he stated.

Significantly, Oman LNG’s decision to fund the study comes in the wake of provisional findings by SERC underscoring the wave energy potential of Oman’s coastal waters. Further investigations would be necessary to identify optimal hotspots for the deployment of Wave Energy Converters (WECs). Initial studies have already pointed to sites in Barka, Qurayyat, Muscat, Qurum, Al-Bustan, and Al-Sifah as being ideal for WEC deployment based on their energy production intensity.

“The scope of this strategic study is designed to cover a larger area of the Sea of Oman with the goal to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of wave energy,” Oman LNG’s Decarbonization Adviser noted.

“It aims to systematically assess the feasibility of wave energy al the coast of Oman by investigating different locations along the coast, particularly the Sur coastline. In particular, the objective is to conduct a detailed analysis of wave data to determine energy generation capabilities and ensure a consistent wave energy supply.”

Also participating in the study are Dr Saleh Al Saadi, Head of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC), and members of Oman LNG’s ICV and Technology Departments.

The initiative is an integral part of a broader effort by Oman LNG to reduce its carbon footprint in part by mitigating its carbon emissions while also exploring clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Caption:

Wave energy converters (Credit: Oman LNG)

Source: Oman Daily Observer

Date: 27 April 2025