Electricity in Oman in 2024
As of 2024, the state of electricity consumption in Oman is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with nearly all of its electricity—around 96%—produced from fossil sources, specifically gas, which accounts for 93%. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources make up just over 4% of the total electricity generation. Solar energy, which represents almost 4%, contributes the most to the low-carbon segment. Despite this modest presence of clean energy, the vast majority of Oman's electricity is still derived from fossil fuels, highlighting a significant opportunity and necessity for increasing the share of sustainable, low-carbon energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Oman?
Oman's electricity consumption appears to be decreasing, with the latest figures showing 8,637 kWh per person in 2024, down from a peak of 9,327 kWh per person in 2022, marking a reduction of almost 700 kWh per person. This decline raises concerns, considering the global trend toward electrification and the increasing demand for electricity to support growing economic activities and technological advancements. On a positive note, the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a slight increase, with 363 kWh per person in 2024 compared to 360 kWh in 2023, indicating a small but encouraging shift towards cleaner energy sources.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Oman could look at successful regions harnessing different types of clean energy. For solar energy, Nevada, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Chile, with solar generation between 23% and 33%, show the potential for growth in regions with similar sunny climates. Regarding nuclear energy, countries like the United Arab Emirates, which derives 20% of its electricity from nuclear power, serve as a compelling model for Oman. Incorporating both solar and nuclear energy will not only help Oman transition to a greener electricity mix but also reduce its carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, thus addressing both energy security and environmental concerns.
History
Historically, Oman's low-carbon electricity generation has been lukewarm, with no notable changes until 2020, when solar and wind energy finally started contributing electricity. From 2020, solar power saw incremental increases, beginning with 0.2 TWh in 2020, climbing to 0.5 TWh in 2021, and reaching 0.9 TWh in 2022 before tapering off to smaller increases in 2023. Wind energy has mainly remained stagnant, contributing 0.1 TWh in 2020 without further increases by 2024. This slow initial progress highlights the urgent need for strategic planning and investment to amplify the development of low-carbon electricity sources, particularly solar and wind, as pivotal elements in Oman's energy transformation.
