DEME Partners Up for Oman Green Hydrogen Project

March 5, 2020 | Alternative Energy | Energy Facts Staff Writer | 3min

DEME Concessions and Omani partners are announcing an exclusive partnership to develop a world leading, green hydrogen plant in Duqm, Oman.

The facility will significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the regional chemical industry in Oman, as well as providing green hydrogen and/or derivatives (such as green methanol or ammonia) to international customers in Europe, for example in the Port of Antwerp. The envisaged electrolyser capacity for a first phase is estimated between 250 and 500 MW. Following this first phase, upscaling of the installation is foreseen. The advantage of the location in Duqm is the availability of cheap renewable energy (solar and wind), as well as large, accessible sites (on- and offshore).

Together with Port of Antwerp International, DEME Concessions is already active in Duqm through a participation in the Port of Duqm Company SAOC.

Green hydrogen
If hydrogen (H2) is produced with electricity by means of electrolysis, no CO2 is released in the process. However, the hydrogen produced can only be called “green” if renewable electricity is used in the process. The potential role of green hydrogen in the energy transition is threefold: Green H2 can act as an alternative and decarbonised feedstock for the petrochemical industry, as a clean energy source for the industry and the mobility sector, and as an energy carrier and temporary storage for (excess) green electricity.

Phased process
The first phase of the project will comprise an in-depth feasibility study – coordinated by the global consulting firm Roland Berger – to determine customer offtake choices, technology options, electricity feed-in options, hydrogen (derivatives) shipping options and to define the concept and scope of the commercial scale demonstration project. The feasibility phase will be followed by the detailed design and engineering, further project development and finalisation of offtake routes and financing. A Final Investment Decision for the commercial scale demonstration project is expected during 2021.