Oman is expected to launch its inaugural wave energy pilot projects in the next two years, the regional representative of the Norwegian wave power company Havkraft AS said.
Founded in 2009, Havkraft specializes in wave energy solutions based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) technology for which it holds several patents.
Matt Minshall, the Middle East Advisor for Havkraft AS and the Managing Director of the UK-based consultancy Translucidus, highlighted the Middle East's growing interest in exploring the potential of wave energy and Oman's willingness to embrace this technology.
He said Oman has the potential to realize 10 percent of its energy from waves, and studies are underway to assess local requirements and costs.
"There's huge interest across all sectors to look at how this might be of benefit. We are discussing with the government, industry, and organizations how best to tap this energy. Every possible opportunity is being explored."
Minshall underscored that Havkraft's systems are well advanced beyond the prototype stage, and the first models are in construction.
"We will begin sea trials and DNV certification on the nearshore product Havkraft N-class next year based on our current preparation and modelling in the laboratories," he said, noting that the company is embarking on a 300-kilowatt commercial project in Svanøy, Norway.
The HAVKRAFT N-CLASS wave power plant is expected to be operational by the first half of 2024 after the project received €3 million in new capital from investors and an €800,000 grant from Innovation Norway this year.
"In Oman, we are looking to provide much bigger power plants, arrays and wave farms at various locations," said Minshall.
While noting that it's too early to specify capacities or investments for Oman, he said wave energy could make a "substantial contribution" in the Sultanate due to access to excellent local energy flux.
According to the Havkraft representative, wave energy patterns are ideal along the coastline from Muscat to Salalah, directly facing the Indian Ocean.
"We would look at places where the transmission length is the shortest and centres where there is a high direct need (for electricity), such as cities and ports," he explained.
While wave energy systems have minimal environmental impact, he acknowledged that their impact on the local ecology and marine systems would need to be examined.
About prospects elsewhere in the region, Minshall ruled out the Mediterranean. "Wave energy potential of the Red Sea is limited as the waves are relatively calm, but in Oman, with a largely east facing long coast, it is ideal."
Saudi Arabia has conducted preliminary studies to identify tidal energy potential in NEOM, but no announcements have been made yet.
