Oman Hydrogen Centre: Building the Foundations of a Hydrogen Economy
Muscat: A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between Birba Energy Services and the Oman Hydrogen Centre (OHC) at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), marking a significant step toward closer collaboration in research, training, capacity building, business development, and knowledge exchange within the hydrogen sector.
The partnership aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and supports the Sultanate’s energy transition by promoting innovation, strengthening knowledge transfer, and enhancing linkages between academia, industry, and policymakers. The agreement was signed by Mr. Abdullah Al Harthy, Chairman of Birba Energy Services, and Prof. Michael Braun, Rector of GUtech.
Established in 2019, the Oman Hydrogen Centre has played a pioneering role in building the country’s first integrated hydrogen ecosystem. From its early beginnings as a small research initiative, OHC has evolved into a national reference point for hydrogen research, education, and innovation, helping lay the foundations for Oman’s emerging low-carbon economy.
“We were established to work on creating an ecosystem for hydrogen,” says Prof. Braun. “Our first step was to build a network of hydrogen experts, connecting researchers across Oman and internationally.”
That early focus on awareness and collaboration proved decisive. Long before hydrogen became a global policy priority, OHC was actively convening discussions and positioning Oman as a future player in the sector. One of its early initiatives included a study with Asyad Group examining how Oman’s ports could serve as export hubs for hydrogen and its derivatives, leveraging existing gas and port infrastructure.
As a university-based centre, OHC integrates academic research with practical application across the entire hydrogen value chain — from renewable energy generation and electrolysis to storage, transport, and reconversion. This approach underpins GUtech’s Master’s programme in Hydrogen Economy, which Prof. Braun describes as the academic backbone of the ecosystem.
Developing local talent remains central to the Centre’s mission. Students are actively involved in research and teaching activities, while some pursue advanced studies abroad before returning to contribute locally. Complementing this academic pathway, OHC has launched a vocational training initiative aimed at building the skilled workforce required for Oman’s hydrogen sector. The first cohort, focused on mechatronics, will be jointly certified by GUtech and Siemens.
The partnership with Birba Energy Services strengthens OHC’s engagement with the private sector and enhances its communication and industry outreach. “We are a university and know our strengths,” Prof. Braun notes. “Birba complements our work by helping translate research and expertise into clearer engagement with industry and the wider market.”
Looking ahead, OHC aims to remain agile in a rapidly evolving energy landscape and to replicate its ecosystem-based model across other emerging sustainability fields.
“We started by creating awareness,” Prof. Braun says. “Today, we are building capability — and the people who will make Oman’s hydrogen economy a reality.”
