A first-ever solar farm inaugurated at Sur on Monday as a source of renewable electricity for water desalination, serves as a global showcase of Oman’s ambitions to decarbonize its economy, according to a key executive involved in this landmark initiative.

Philippe Paulissen, CEO of Sharqiyah Desalination Company SAOG, said the initiative demonstrates that solar farms can effectively power desalination plants, potentially inspiring other nations to explore similar initiatives and furthering the worldwide transition to sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.

A joint initiative of TotalEnergies and Veolia, the solar plant was inaugurated on Monday by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, in the presence of a number of local and international dignitaries.

The solar plant boats an annual capacity of over 32,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of green and renewable electricity, which is expected to make a substantial impact on Oman’s energy landscape, moving the nation closer to achieving its renewable energy goals.

In remarks to the Observer, Paulissen explained that a solar farm is a groundbreaking concept that involves the capture of energy from the sun to generate electricity. The heart of the project lies in the extensive installation of photovoltaic panels that efficiently convert sunlight into electrical power. The outcome is a clean and sustainable source of electricity capable of powering crucial facilities such as desalination plants.

One of the most significant advantages of this project is its potential to mitigate environmental harm. The solar farm is estimated to reduce approximately 27,200 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, aligning with Oman’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting sustainability.