Electricity in Oman in 2024
As of 2024, the electricity consumption in Oman is predominantly dependent on fossil fuels, accounting for a striking 96% of its electricity generation. Natural gas alone is responsible for about 93% of this fossil-based energy. Low-carbon sources, such as solar energy, contribute a modest 4% to the country's electricity mix, with solar being nearly all of it. This means that the transition toward cleaner electricity has been very limited so far, and there's a pressing need for Oman to accelerate its shift to low-carbon energy sources to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and pollution caused by fossil fuel reliance.
Is Electricity Growing in Oman?
Regarding the growth of electricity consumption in Oman, recent numbers indicate a decrease in per capita consumption. In 2024, the electricity consumption per person was around 8,637 kWh, which is significantly lower than the 9,327 kWh per person recorded in 2022, marking a decline of approximately 690 kWh. Conversely, low-carbon electricity did see a minor increase, with an increase of 3 kWh per person from 2023 to 2024. While this growth in low-carbon electricity is a move in the right direction, the overall consumption drop is concerning, particularly if energy demands linked to population growth and advancements in technology, like AI, are to be met sustainably.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Oman might draw valuable lessons from other regions that have successfully integrated solar and nuclear energy into their national grids. The impressive strides made by Lebanon, where solar contributes 31% of electricity, highlight solar energy's potential in regions with abundant sunlight like Oman. Meanwhile, nuclear energy offers a reliable base-load power, as illustrated by France's 69% reliance on nuclear power. Encouraging policies and investments in solar and nuclear infrastructure could substantially increase the share of clean electricity in Oman, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and set a course for sustainable development.
History
Oman's journey with low-carbon electricity started slowly, with no significant solar or wind energy generation recorded from 2013 to 2019. It wasn't until 2020 that notable advancements were seen, with a small bump in solar and wind energy production. The next few years saw modest solar capacity expansion, particularly in 2021 and 2022. However, there has been stagnation in recent years concerning further developments in wind and solar, as indicated by no additional growth in 2023 and 2024. These recent trends indicate a lost opportunity for harnessing more clean energy, underscoring an urgent need for a robust strategic plan to continually scale up low-carbon electricity generation to align with global trends and environmental aspirations.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.