Tri-party deal to evaluate development of 1st green hydrogen plant at Sohar

By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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Hydrogen Rise, Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel and, Sohar Port and Freezone have signed an agreement to evaluate the development of the first green hydrogen plant at Sohar, which will decarbonize the steel production process at Jindal Shadeed´s steel manufacturing plant.

The partners will assess the potential to produce steel in a completely sustainable manner to reduce emissions, lower the complex’s carbon footprint and preserve gas reserves for other applications across the country.

The first phase will feature the operation of a 35MW electrolyzer capacity combined with a solar renewable energy plant by mid-2024, following the completion of techno-economic feasibility studies. Following this first phase, an upscaling path to a potential 350 MW electrolysis capacity will be evaluated.

The production of green steel has the potential to provide a huge boost to Oman’s industries and the economy as the global demand for decarbonized steel products is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Hydrogen Rise, based in Oman and Germany will develop, build and operate the green hydrogen facility at Sohar supplying green hydrogen to Jindal Shadeed’s steel manufacturing facility.

Jindal Shadeed’s steel-making expertise can help the company become a pioneer in utilizing innovative decarbonization technologies and substituting green hydrogen for natural gas with green hydrogen in the steel manufacturing process to become a major producer in the fast-developing global market for green steel.

Olav Carlsen
Olav Carlsen
CEO – Hydrogen Rise

“We are excited to work with Jindal Shadeed and SOHAR Port and Freezone to evaluate the development of a step-wise scalable and bankable project for a very innovative decarbonization process, from a starting electrolysis size of 35 MW to a step-by-step ten-fold scaling of 350 MW. This approach, plus the very cost-competitive renewable energy production in Oman and the commitment to decarbonization processes here in the country will give all partners a significant competitive edge in the developing global market for green steel.”

Green hydrogen is endorsed by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as one of the best alternatives to gas for industry and helps countries around the world to meet environmental targets. The potential of establishing a completely sustainable production procedure to produce and export green steel can transform Oman’s economy and create brand new industries, both in metals and in the production, storage and export of the hydrogen itself.

Related: NEOM’s ENOWA sets up Saudi’s 1st Hydrogen & Innovation Development Center

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