Electricity in Oman in 2024
As of 2024, Oman's electricity consumption is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, with almost all, amounting to nearly 96%, being generated from these sources. Natural gas is the primary contributor, accounting for approximately 93% of total electricity generation. Low-carbon energy, by contrast, makes up a little over 4% of the electricity mix. Within this category, solar power stands out, contributing almost all of the low-carbon share at nearly 4%. Unfortunately, other low-carbon sources such as nuclear or wind contribute close to none. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels poses environmental challenges, given the growing concerns over climate change and air pollution associated with these energy types.
Is Electricity Growing in Oman?
Regarding growth in electricity consumption, Oman has experienced a decline in its per capita electricity use. The latest figures, at 8579 kWh per person, represent a decrease from the peak of 9327 kWh per person in 2022, indicating a reduction of 748 kWh per person. On the low-carbon front, the situation has remained stagnant, with no change in per capita generation from the historic 360 kWh per person recorded in 2023. This stagnation, coupled with the decline in overall electricity usage, signals a worrying trend, especially as the future demands more electricity to support a developing economy and the increasing electrification of various sectors.
Suggestions
To boost the share of low-carbon electricity generation, Oman can take inspiration from other countries that have successfully integrated clean energy sources into their electricity grids. For example, the United Arab Emirates uses nuclear power to supply about 20% of its electricity, demonstrating a viable pathway for countries in the region with similar climatic and resource conditions. Oman can also draw lessons from countries like Lebanon, where solar contributes around 31% to the electricity mix, and from solar leaders like Chile, both of which illustrate the potential for solar energy in sunny locations. Expanding solar and introducing nuclear power could significantly advance Oman's transition to a more sustainable energy future, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Oman, particularly solar power, has seen slow but consistent growth over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was virtually no recorded growth in solar-generated electricity. However, a notable change began in 2020 with a 0.2 TWh increase in solar power, followed by a more substantial increase of 0.5 TWh in 2021, and an additional 0.9 TWh in 2022. Wind energy made a minor contribution in 2020, but since then, there has been no further development in this sector. In 2023 and 2024, growth in solar energy was static, indicating a need for renewed focus and investment to spur further developments in clean energy sources. It is crucial for Oman to revitalize its efforts to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation to become less dependent on fossil fuels and to meet future energy demands sustainably.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.