A Greener Tomorrow: Energy Transition in Emerging Markets

NGG

April 4 2022

NGG Delegation to Oman 2022

This year’s NGG Delegation to Oman took place from 17th-19th March at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). It was a great success and saw many solid friendships form between Omani and British Delegates, we are really pleased to share a summary below of speakers and topics.

This year’s topic was 'A Greener Tomorrow: Energy Transition in Emerging Markets.' With the current strains placed on energy supplies due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and sanctions placed on Russia, this topic couldn’t have come at a better point and made for excellent conversations amongst delegates.

Day one began with our keynote speaker His Highness Sayyid Dr Adham bin Turki Al Said. After a week at Oman Sustainability week, His Highness spoke to our delegates about his thoughts on energy issues and Oman’s transitioning journey. Our delegates had some great questions for him and entered into an enlightening discussion on Oman’s niche political economics. Following on from this, was BP Oman’s very own Sultan Al Harrasi who gave an incredible introduction to BP’s transition to clean energy.

After a short break for lunch, our third session of the day took a slightly different format – a fireside chat with Johana Dunlop, founder and advisor to Gaia Summit and MENA Regional Liaison, Mohammed Al Balushi. Johana discussed scaling to the new energy system and the pair warned against the dangers of green washing and encouraged delegates to ‘move the needle’ and not delay making changes to speed up the energy transition. Next up we had Younis Al Rawahi who spoke to us about the ground-breaking Bauer-Nimr Project. Eager to learn more about this technology, our delegates asked Younis myriad intriguing questions. Bauer Nimr have developed the world's largest commercial constructed wetland and through a successfully established wetlands competence centre, they now offer tailored wastewater, sludge and produced water treatment solutions that utilise reed beds. Our last speaker of the day was the inspirational Siddiqa Al Lawati from OQ. Siddiqa spoke to us about green hydrogen developments in Oman and explained her wind power projects with great eloquence and knowledge. She highlighted how Oman is perfectly placed both to lead the hydrogen transition and be a global supplier for green hydrogen.

Day 2 was dedicated to bonding and experiencing Oman. Delegates headed out from the OCEC for a day of exploring Muscat. The Omani delegates showed us around Matrah Souq, and we then took a boat ride out to Bandar Khayran for a great lunch where delegates got a chance to process the previous day’s content, get to know each other more, soak up the sun and enjoy the gorgeous water. We then visited an impressive art exhibition put on by a collective of Omani female artists in Matrah Fort before a wonderful dinner at the beautiful Rozna restaurant.

Day three we were back at OCEC, and the day kicked off with an excellent talk by Dr. Khalil Hanshi, Senior Renewable Energy Advisor at PDO. Dr. Khalil spoke about the importance of mixing experienced staff with new recruits for the perfect combination of skills and vision. Dr. Khalil spoke alongside his talented colleague Dr. Zakiya Al Azri who gave an engaging and informative talk on future lives and livelihoods. Delegates had great questions for Dr. Khalil and Dr. Zakiya and started a conversation about Oman’s path toward a safe, smart, and green energy future. Next up we had our youngest speaker, BP Oman’s Taimur Al Shidhani. Taimur gave an excellent talk on BP Oman’s Wells Operation and answered delegates’ questions with great knowledge and clarity.  After a short break, we were pleased to welcome Haidar Al Zaabi, founder of MAYS, electric vehicle. Haidar’s innovative designs are a breath of fresh air, and we were so happy to have him join us straight after showcasing his designs at Dubai Expo! Just before lunch, we had a great session with Hamed Al Naamany, CEO of Oman LNG. Hamed encouraged our delegates with how to institute and manage the energy transition even during challenging grounds. 

After lunch, we were joined by Shatha (is it shady or shatha?) Al Maskiry, CEO of Proviti Oman, who started an incredible discussion on organisational excellence during the energy transition. Shatha really encouraged our delegates to think about how to unite different generations in the workplace.  Our last speaker of the delegation was the inspirational Talal Hasan, CEO of 44.01. He spoke to delegates about 44.01’s work in injecting CO2 into peridotite rocks in Oman and delegates were blown away by this innovative technology that is sure to shape the future of Oman’s energy transition.

On the last evening of the delegation, we hosted a formal dinner for delegates, speakers and friends of AOS at the W Hotel Muscat. The evening was enjoyed by all and was a great opportunity for delegates to network with those in Oman. Special thanks to HE Bill Murray, British Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, for joining us and delivering a wonderful message on the bright future of British-Omani friendship.

Special thanks to our headline sponsor BP Oman, we couldn’t have done it without you. Also thank you to His Highness Sayyid Dr Adham bin Turki Al Said, for being our keynote speaker and teaching our delegates so much about Oman’s journey of Energy Transition. Thank you to all our speakers for their time in preparing for and speaking at our delegation, we can’t wait to see what our delegates will go on to do after gaining so much from your expertise.

We look forward to sharing a final brochure on the event in the coming weeks.

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