In Oman, the entire electricity consumption from June 2025 to May 2026 was derived from fossil fuels, more specifically from natural gas, meaning close to none came from low-carbon sources like solar, wind, or nuclear energy. This means that Oman has relied completely on gas for its electricity over the past year. There's an urgent need to diversify the energy mix to include low-carbon electricity sources, as the current situation increases vulnerability to price fluctuations in gas markets and contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution due to carbon emissions.

Is Electricity Growing in Oman?

The trend in electricity consumption in Oman is on the rise, with the latest data indicating an increase in use, reaching 9935 kWh per person, compared to the previous record of 9528 kWh per person in 2025. However, it's disheartening to observe that low-carbon electricity generation has collapsed to zero from its record of 363 kWh per person in 2024. This decrease highlights a concerning reversal in the drive towards cleaner energy sources, which is critical to addressing environmental and economic sustainability. To address this, Oman should embrace a strategic shift towards boosting sustainable energy generation.

Suggestions

Learning from successful regions, Oman can significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation by investing in solar and nuclear energy. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon show that investing in solar can lead to solar generating over 30% of electricity, while nuclear-rich nations like France and Slovakia demonstrate how robust nuclear programs can provide over 65% of the electricity generation from sustainable sources. Additionally, integrating solar energy, which is abundantly available due to ample sunlight, and exploring potential nuclear energy projects could provide a diversified, reliable, and sustainable electricity portfolio for Oman, reducing its dependence on natural gas and curbing carbon emissions.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Oman has been essentially stagnant with respect to growth, with no increases noted from solar energy deployment from 2013 until 2019. It was only in 2020 that Oman recorded increased solar generation, albeit modestly, with a notable, though slight, contribution from wind energy. By 2024, both solar and wind failed to witness any increase in contribution. This historical pattern of virtually no growth demonstrates a missed opportunity to capitalize on the nation's potential for solar energy. A robust policy direction focusing on significant investments in nuclear and solar infrastructure could correct this course, pushing Oman towards a sustainable future and meeting the rising demands for electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.