Electricity in Oman in 2024
In 2024, electricity consumption in Oman is predominantly driven by fossil energy, with fossil fuels accounting for nearly 96% of the total electricity mix. Out of this, gas makes up the overwhelming portion at 93%. In contrast, clean energy sources are minimal, comprising just over 4% of the electricity generated. Within this category, solar energy is the primary source, contributing almost 4%. This highlights a stark disparity between fossil and low-carbon sources, indicating significant room for improvement in transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable electricity generation in Oman.
Is Electricity Growing in Oman?
In terms of growth, electricity consumption in Oman has experienced a decline. The latest figures reveal that electricity use per person has decreased to around 8,637 kWh in 2024, down from the earlier peak of 9,327 kWh in 2022, representing a reduction of 691 kWh per person. Fortunately, there's been a slight increase in low-carbon electricity generation, with production rising to 363 kWh per person, barely surpassing the previous record from 2023 by 2 kWh. Although this increase is a positive step, the overall decline in electricity use may indicate challenges in meeting growing future demand.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Oman can look towards successful regions with robust clean energy infrastructures. Lebanon and Nevada, for instance, derive a significant portion of their electricity from solar energy, achieving shares of 31% and 29%, respectively. These countries demonstrate that solar power is a viable option for regions with abundant sunlight. Additionally, the successful implementation of nuclear energy in countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear accounts for 69% and 64% of generation respectively, showcases nuclear as an effective clean energy solution. Oman could benefit from investing in both solar and nuclear technologies, leveraging its natural resources in solar power while considering the sustainable advantages of nuclear energy.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Oman shows a relatively late start, with no significant changes recorded until the late 2010s. In 2020, both solar and wind energy saw initial modest increments, with solar increasing by 0.2 TWh and wind by 0.1 TWh. This positive trend continued, especially for solar power which experienced a substantial bump of 0.5 TWh in 2021, and by 2022, increased further by 0.9 TWh. However, stagnation returned by 2023 as additions became minimal, and by 2024, both solar and wind generation saw no increase. This pattern underscores the need for continued investment and focus on expanding low-carbon electricity sources to ensure sustained growth beyond short-lived gains.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.